Insight into the efficient TSNA capturer derived from zeolite Hβ

Abstract The thermal regeneration of zeolite Hβ adsorbed tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA) along with the impact of zeolitic pore size on the liquid adsorption of TSNA were investigated in this article for the first time. After calcination at 873 K, the regenerated Hβ zeolite exhibited a kind of self-activation to trap more TSNA in succeeding adsorption in tobacco solution, achieving the high capacity of 225 μg g −1 . With the assistance of TG-MS technique, it was clear that no secondary pollution of volatile nitrosamines (VNA) occurred in the regeneration of Hβ zeolite. In order to seek cheap TSNA-capturer, three zeolites with different pore structures, Hβ, MCM-22 and NTY (the dealuminated NaY) zeolites were assessed in the TSNA adsorption in laboratory formulated surface water and tobacco solution to examine the influence of pore size. MCM-22 was the excellent selective sorbent of 4-methylnitrosamino-1-3-pyridyl-1-butanone (NNK), but its channels were easily clogged in tobacco solution. Zeolite Hβ showed a prominent TSNA adsorption in both solutions due to its pore size of 0.6–0.7 nm. The cheap zeolite NTY with the pore size of 0.74 nm exhibited a high adsorption capability of TSNA similar to Hβ in tobacco solution, making it a promising replacement for industrial applications.