Solvent-free surface functionalized SBA-15 as a versatile trap of nitrosamines

Dispersion of copper oxide via a solvent-free method enables mesoporous silica SBA-15 to become a versatile trap of nitrosamines, exhibiting a high capability to capture volatile nitrosamines and tobacco special nitrosamines (TSNA). 3%CuO/SBA-15 can remove 85% of N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) in gaseous flow, one fifth more than that by the analogous via one-pot method, while 5%CuO/SBA-15 traps all N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in solution with a concentration of 0.6 mmol l−1, superior to NaY zeolite. The dispersion of the copper guest in SBA-15 is assessed by XRD, H2-TPR, NO2-TPD and UV-Vis methods.