Removal of formaldehyde on carbon -based materials: A review of the recent approaches and findings

Formaldehyde, HCHO, is one of the most common toxic pollutants found in indoor air. Its most common sources are pressed woods and particle boards. National Toxicology Program of Department of Health and Human Services classifies formaldehyde as human carcinogen and its exposure limit is 0.08 ppm for 30 min. So far, besides room venting, no other means have been recommended by Consumer Products Safety Commission to minimize indoor HCHO exposure. Since adsorption seems to be an efficient and cost-effective method of HCHO removal, in this review we summarize the findings on the applications of carbonaceous materials (mainly activated carbons, carbon fibers and their composites with an inorganic phase) as formaldehyde adsorbents from indoor air. Besides experiments, recent theoretical and simulation results are also discussed. Our intention is to use them as a basis for a further development of the next generation of efficient and cost-effective carbon-based reactive adsorbents where adsorption of HCOH will be combined with its mineralization at ambient conditions. [Display omitted]