Abstract
Adsorption and desorption behaviors of toluene were investigated for porous pillared clays, such as organic-pillared clays (silica-or silica/alumina-pillared kanemite, and porous clay nanocomposites) and compared with those of silicalite, β-zeolite, ordered mesoporous silica, and silica aerogel to examine their abilities as adsorbents for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Toluene adsorption isotherms of these materials showed that all the porous pillared clays adsorbed toluene in the relatively low pressure region (p/p0<0.01) and much higher than the other porous materials, owing to the flat toluene molecule. No other significant differences were observed in the adsorption rates of the porous pillared clays. DTA-TG analyses of the porous pillared clays revealed a weak ability to entrap toluene up to 373K. Lower retention of VOCs at raised temperatures allows the porous pillared clays to regenerate more easily for repeated use.
