Gaseous mercury capture using iodine-modified carbon nitride derived from guanidine hydrochloride

Here, an inexpensive, widely available, and environmentally benign precursor, guanidine hydrochloride, has been employed for the synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride and applied for elemental mercury adsorption. The GH600 attained via polycondensation of guanidine hydrochloride at 600 degrees C displays good mercury capture ability probably owing to its bigger BET surface area and the presence of chemisorbed oxygen species. The mercury removal performance of GH600 can be profoundly reinforced by modifying with a small amount of potassium iodide. The acidic gas components, such as NO and SO2, present almost no impact on the Hg0 removal ability of KI-loaded GH600.

Automated summary

In this study, an inexpensive and environmentally benign precursor, guanidine hydrochloride, was used to synthesize graphitic carbon nitride for elemental mercury adsorption. The performance of the material was enhanced by modification with potassium iodide, and it showed excellent mercury removal ability even in the presence of acidic gas components.