Combined effects of Ag and UiO-66 for removal of elemental mercury from flue gas

The zirconium metal-organic framework material UiO-66 was doped with Ag nanoparticles and investigated for the removal of elemental mercury (Hg0) in flue gas. Physical and chemical characterization of the adsorbents showed that adding Ag did not change the crystal structure and morphology of the UiO-66. Ag doping can improve the redox activity of UiO-66, and the adsorbent exhibited high thermal stability and surface area. Hg0 removal experiments indicated that UiO-66 exhibited the higher performance compared with P25 and activated carbon, and the addition of Ag exhibited a significant synergistic effect with the UiO-66, which had highest Hg0 adsorption capacity (3.7 mg/g) at 50 °C. Furthermore, the Hg0 removal mechanism was investigated, revealing that Hg0 is removed by the formation of an Ag amalgam and channel adsorption at low temperature, and through Ag-activated oxygen oxidation and channel capture at high temperature.