A new analytical method based on Co-Mo nanoparticles supported by carbon nanotubes for removal of mercury vapor from the air by the amalgamation of solid-phase air removal

Abstract

Heavy metals are a major cause of environmental pollution, and mercury is a well-known toxicant that is extremely harmful to the environment and human health. In this study, new carbon nanotubes coated with cobalt and molybdenum nanoparticles (Co-Mo/MWCNT) were used for Hg0 removal from the air by the amalgamation of solid-phase air removal method (ASPAR). In the bench-scale setup, the mercury vapor in air composition was produced by the mercury vapor generation system (HgGS) and restored in a polyethylene airbag . In optimized conditions, the mercury vapor in the airbag passed through Co-Mo/MWCNT and was absorbed on it. Then, the mercury was completely desorbed from Co-Mo/MWCNT by increasing temperature up to 220 °C and online determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS). The recovery and capacity of Co-Mo/MWCNT were obtained at 98% and 191.3 mg g-1, respectively. The Repeatability of the method was 32 times. The mercury vapors absorbed on Co-Mo/MWCNT adsorbent could be maintained at 7 days at the refrigerator temperature. The Co-Mo/MWCNT as a sorbent has many advantages such as; high capacity, renewable, good repeatability and chemical adsorption (amalgamation) of mercury removal from the air. The method was successfully validated by MCA and spiking of real samples.

Determination of mercury values in urine and air of chloralkali workers by copper nanoparticles functionalized in carboxylic carbon nanotubes and the effects of mercury exposure on oxidative stress

“…Exposure to any of the three can produce toxic compounds in the body [1]. Heavy metals are important factors in environmental pollution and mercury is one of the most toxic and threatens human health [2]. The greatest effect of mercury in elemental and organic form in the central nervous system and the greatest effect of mineral mercury on the digestive and excretory systems [3].…”