Comparison of removal ability of indoor formaldehyde over different materials functionalized with various amine groups

Abstract In this study, a mesoporous material (MCM-41), crystalline microporous zeolite (HY), and amorphous silica (XPO-2412) were functionalized with three kinds of amine groups, namely 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), N (β-aminoethyl) γ-aminopropylmethyl dimethoxysilane (AEAPMDMS), and N 1 -(3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyl) diethylenetriamine (TMSPDETA) and their performances for formaldehyde adsorption evaluated. BET, XRD, and elemental analysis were used to evaluate structural and surface characteristics of the adsorbents. Due to its large specific surface area, the adsorption efficiency of MCM-41 increased with the amount of amine groups (MCM-41/APTES   XPO-2412/AEAPMDMS > HY/AEAPMDMS. The adsorption efficiency was the highest at 30 °C, while decreasing rapidly above 30 °C, suggesting an optimum temperature for interaction between the amine groups and formaldehyde. Given the results of this study, amine functionalized MCM-41 is believed to have great potential as an adsorbent for removing indoor formaldehyde at room temperature.