Photocatalytic removal of ethylbenzene from air flow using ZnO nanoparticles immobilized on modified natural zeolite

Ethylbenzene is a volatile organic compound used in many industries, including oil and gas, oil colored and insecticides. Due to the toxic effects of this chemical substance, control and elimination of this vapor is necessary. Photocatalytic degradation is a possible method to remove organic compounds from air. This study was performed to determine the efficiency of photocatalytic removal of ethylbenzene vapor using ZnO nanoparticles immobilized on modified natural zeolite. 

Natural zeolite was first modified with hydrochloric acid and then with diphenyl dichlorosilane. Next, zinc oxide nanoparticles were stabilized on the zeolites. Dynamic air flow and different concentrations of ethyl benzene (25, 50, 100 and 200 ppm) were produced and the removal efficiency of ethylbenzene vapor was investigated using UV/MZe/ZnO. The temperature and relative humidity were set at 25±2°c and 35%. The surface and volume of the pores of the bed were determined by the BET method and surface structure was determined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD).

Evaluations for BET showed the specific surface areas decreased by increasing the amount of ZnO. XRD analysis and SEM images showed that zeolite structure was stabled and nanoparticles was successfully stabilized on Ze. The results showed that the highest removal efficiency (50.8%) by the process of UV/MZe/ZnO at concentration 25 ppm.

The result of this study showed that the Ze/ZnO catalyst may be an applicable and hopeful method to removal of ethylbenzene from air flow under UV irradiation