Application of MCN-1 to the adsorptive removal of indoor formaldehyde

In this study, mesoporous carbon nitride (MCN-1) was synthesized by using mesoporous silica SBA-15 as a template and applied, for the first time, to the adsorption of 1-ppm formaldehyde, an important indoor air pollutant. Ammonia treatment was conducted at 700 ^oC for additional change in the surface characteristics of MCN-1 (i.e., increase in the quantity of nitrogen functional groups). The formaldehyde adsorption efficiencies of MCN-1 and ammonia treated MCN-1 (MCN-1-NH₃) were compared with that of a nitrogen-free mesoporous carbon material (CMK-3). Adsorption experiments were conducted using a vaccumed 10-L aluminum bag. The adsorbents were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption-desorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The order of the formaldehyde adsorption efficiency of the adsorbents was MCN-1-NH₃ > MCN-1 > CMK-3. The higher performance of MCN-1 than that of CMK-3 was attributed to the nitrogen containing functional groups. MCN-1-NH₃ showed the highest adsorption efficiency due to the sufficient amount of nitrogen containing functional groups and large specific surface area resulting from the micropores formed during the ammonia treatment procedure.