Benzene Adsorption by Plant Leaf Materials: Effect of Quantity and Composition of Wax

Twenty-one plant leaf materials were screened for benzene adsorption efficiency in the static system, and the leaf material from Dieffenbachia picta, Acrostichum aureum, Ficus religiosa, Lagerstroemia macrocarpa, Alstonia scholaris, and Dracaena sanderiana were found to have high potential for benzene removal. The relation between quantity and composition of wax to benzene removal efficiency was studied. Although high quantities of wax occurred in some leaf materials, low benzene removal was clearly found if compared with other plant materials with the same wax quantity. Alpha-linoleic acid and dodecyl cyclohexane were found to be the main composition in plant leaf materials with high benzene adsorption, and it might be a key factor for benzene removal.