Sorption of BTEX on a nanoporous composite of SBA-15 and a calcined hydrotalcite.

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and -xylene (BTEX) are hazardous volatile organic compounds mostly released from fuel combustion, paint gas emissions, and biomass burning. In this work, it is studied the BTEX sorption influence on the surface reactivity of a new kind of nanoporous composite, prepared via an in situ functionalization of SBA-15 with a Mg-Al calcined hydrotalcite (HT). During its preparation, Mg/Al mixed oxides are indeed formed and dispersed on the SBA-15 surface with non-blockage porosity. Furthermore, the physicochemical surface properties are exalted from its precursors and it is synergistically favorable for the BTEX sorption at low pressure and temperature.