The material is capable of capturing trace amounts of benzene, a toxic pollutant, from the air while using less energy than existing materials, the researchers said.
Benzene is an air toxic typically emitted from gasoline service stations, motor vehicle exhaust and fuel evaporation, the burning of coal and oil, and various other sources.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene are a class of toxic pollutants that cause severe environmental and health issues. Developing technologies to remove benzene from air at trace concentrations and doing it with a low energy footprint are both challenges that have not been overcome until now.
Close-up of the material
Image credit: UL/Bernal
“A family of porous materials – like sponge – have been developed to capture benzene...