Synthesis and VOCs adsorption properties of Diatomite/FAU-type zeolite composites

Adsorption technology utilizing zeolites as adsorbents is a highly efficient and cost-effective method for controlling the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Herein, two hierarchical diatomite/FAU-type zeolite composites were synthesized by a seeding-assisted secondary hydrothermal growth method and high-temperature hydrothermal dealumination, respectively. The adsorption properties of the composites for VOCs, such as toluene, ethyl acetate, n-heptane, methanol and acetone, were systematically evaluated. The pseudo-second-order model provided a perfect fit to adsorption kinetics, while the Langmuir model agreed the best with the adsorption isotherms. Furthermore, Dt/USY has remarkable recycling stability even after five regeneration cycles, resulting in outstanding VOCs adsorption efficacy.