Effects associated with the structure of adsorbents on the degrees to which nicotine, tar and CO are reduced in tobacco smoke

Abstract

The effects of different classes and types of adsorbents with different texture properties were investigated as they pertain to the degree of reduction of nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide (NTC) in tobacco smoke. The adsorbents of different classes of materials: hydrophilic zeolites (structural types: LTA, FAU and MFI), hydrophobic zeolites (structural types: MFI and FAU) and various amorphous materials were synthesized according to the original procedures. The basic physico-chemical proprieties of the synthesized materials were determined: chemical compositions, crystallinity degree, degree of hydrophobicity and texture properties (specific area, specific pore volume, and average pore diameter). An acetate filter was loaded with samples of synthesized materials in powder form by a novel procedure to create a composite filter. The amounts of NTC in mainstream smoke were determined by using standard ISO methods. It was established that a remarkable reduction of NTC (≥50%) in tobacco smoke was achieved by using hydrophylic zeolites of structural types LTA and FAU, hydrophobic zeolites (structural type FAU) and each of the amorphous materials. It was found that hydrophilic zeolite type LTA had a maximal selectivity relative to the tar contained in tobacco smoke. Amorphous material type AM-2 is maximally selective to nicotine, whereas hydrophylic zeolite type Z-3 is maximally selective to CO. © 2012 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.