Capturing Nitrosamines in Environment by Zeolite.

To meet the requirement of environment protection, the adsorption of volatile nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic compounds in tobacco smoke, by zeolite is investigated in this article, along with the temperature programmed surface reaction of nitrosamines on zeolite to assess the catalytic capability of the porous material on the decomposition of the carcinogens. The actual function of zeolite to reduce the level of nitrosamines in cigarette smoke is also studied. The influences of zeolite pore's structure and the surface acid-basic properties of the adsorbent on the adsorption are explored in terms of geometric matching content and adsorbent-adsorbate interaction. Moreover, the role played by the cation of zeolite in the adsorption of volatile nitrosamines is discussed and the possible attracting range of the sodium cation in basic zeolite to pull the nitrosamine molecule is tentatively calculated. Owing to the specific ability of capturing nitrosamines, zeolite is proven to be the most effective additive encased within a cigarette as the functional additive for lowering the nitrosamines content of smoke to protect the environment and public health. Other porous oxides such as amorphous silica and alumina are also utilized in these experiments, and their actual functions to trap nitrosamines as well as their potential application as the candidates for cigarette additives are discussed and prospected, too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]