Rapid removal of methyl mercaptan using Mn-coated columnar activated carbon catalyst at ambient temperature
Abstract
The Mn-coated activated carbon catalysts were prepared via an in situ impregnation and redox method for the abatement of methyl mercaptan (CH3SH). The results demonstrated that the sample containing 20 wt% Mn displayed a superior removal efficiency for CH3SH, achieving nearly complete conversion under mild conditions of 25 °C, 100 ppm for 60 min in a 30 L stainless steel test chamber. By integrating the characterization and experimental results, the excellent catalytic performance could be attributed to the enhanced acid–base properties deriving from the Mn-coating, which not only influenced the chemical environment of the activated carbon surface, but also promoted CH3SH adsorption and association. Furthermore, the catalysts displayed remarkable durability with only slight deactivation even after prolonged storage or exposure to extreme high temperature and humidity, suggesting a promising pathway for practical applications in indoor air purification. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) results indicated that dimethyldisulfide (CH3SSCH3) was the main product. This provides a promising design for the elimination of CH3SH with high performance, feasibility, and prolonged longevity using Mn-coated activated carbon catalysts.