Carbon Nanotube-Based Filters for the Adsorption of Toxic Compounds in Cigarette Smoke

This study investigates the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the development of a filter capable of capturing toxic and carcinogenic compounds found in cigarette smoke dispersed in the environment. The aim is to contribute to the reduction in passive exposure to these substances, with potential benefits for public health and air quality. Carbon nanotubes were selected for their exceptional adsorption properties, attributed to their high specific surface area and porous structure. The material’s adsorptive performance was evaluated based on the quantity used, to determine the optimal mass that ensures the best filtering capacity. To test the system, an experimental setup was assembled to simulate real-world smoke emission conditions. Filters containing CNTs were subjected to gravimetric analysis to measure the amount of retained substances, and to gas chromatography to identify the adsorbed chemical compounds. The results confirm the potential of carbon nanotubes as an advanced filtering material, paving the way for robust solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of secondhand smoke. The results indicate that CNT-based filters, particularly those containing 0.06 g of material, are highly effective in retaining several toxic components of cigarette smoke, including nicotine. This configuration achieves a strong reduction in harmful organic species while using a moderate amount of adsorbent, suggesting a promising selectivity of CNTs toward the most hazardous molecules.