Functionalized graphene-trimethoxyphenyl silane for toluene removal from workplace air by sorbent gas extraction method

A new synthesized sorbent based on functionalizing graphene with N-Phenyl-3-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane (G-PhAPTMS, C12H21NO3Si), was developed as a novel sorbent for removal of toluene from air by sorbent gas extraction procedure (SGEP). By proposed method, the removal efficiency of G-PhAPTMS was compared with other sorbents such as activated carbon (AC), graphene (G) and graphene oxide (GO). The standard gas of toluene generated in pure air with different concentrations and the effects of parameters such as temperature (10-90 °C), flow rate (50-500 mL min-1) and the amount of sorbent (2-30 mg) were investigated. According to the results, increasing the flow rate and temperature had negative effects on the removal efficiency of all sorbents. The highest removal efficiency of G-PhAPTMS was obtained up to 35 °C and less than 250 mL min-1 (>95%).  In optimized conditions, the amount of sorbent for toluene removal was achieved more than 10 mg of G-PhAPTMS.