Inverse gas chromatography (IGC), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to investigate the surface properties of torrefied cardboard samples and their hydrocarbon adsorption properties. Two torrefied cardboard samples were prepared at 200 and 250 °C, respectively. A series of n-alkanes and BTX (benzene, toluene, and p-xylene) were selected as molecular probes to measure molar adsorption enthalpies and surface energy of torrefied cardboard samples. IGC data revealed that varied with the selection of solid substrates and structures of hydrocarbons. Molar adsorption enthalpies measured on the cardboard torrefied at 250 °C (TC-250) were more exothermic than those measured on the cardboard torrefied at 200 °C (TC-200) by 7 – 15%. Surface energy analysis using n-alkanes and BTX found that more dispersive and specific binding components were present in TC-250. As suggested by FTIR spectra and elemental analysis via AAS, C=C moieties in the carbonaceous substances and inorganic minerals in the torrefied cardboard were responsible for these increased dispersive and specific components, respectively. BTX adsorption isotherms on both torrefied cardboard samples showed an initial rapid increase in uptake amount; this slowed down and later linearly increased as the injection amounts increased. Fitted parameters of adsorption isotherms using the Freundlich model also showed that TC-250 had a larger adsorption capacity toward BTX than did TC-200 and non-torrefied cardboard.

Surface properties of torrefied cardboard and hydrocarbon adsorption properties via inverse gas chromatography and complementary analytical methods

ACS Fall 2021

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