Evaluation of photocatalytic removal of styrene from air flow using ZnO nanoparticles immobilized on ZSM-5 zeolite

Styrene monomer is a volatile organic compound that is used in the various industries. Due to the hazardous effects of this chemical substance on the environment and humans, control and elimination of this vapour is necessary. Therefore, the aim of this study was to remove the styrene vapors from air flow using photocatalytic activity of zinc oxide immobilized on ZSM-5 zeolite.
In this experimental study, the fabricated catalysts were characterized using analysis of BET, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Dynamic Concentrator System were used to generate styrene vapors at a certain concentration and flow, and then removal efficiency of the styrene vapors was investigated using UV/ZnO and UV/ZSM-5/ZnO.
The results of XRD analysis and SEM images showed that produced zinc oxide had nano dimensions. In addition, these nanoparticles was successfully stabilized on ZSM-5 zeolite. The results of the photocatalytic removal showed that ZnO and ZSM-5/ZnO catalysts at the concentrations of 50 ppm eliminated the styrene vapor 14% and 37%, respectively.
Findings of this study showed that stabilization of zinc oxide nanoparticles on ZSM-5 zeolite had an ssynergistic effect on the photocatalytic degradation of styrene. According to this finding, the use of adsorption-photocatalyst hybrid systems can be an appropriate technique to remove styrene vapors and other similar pollutants.