Guodong Yuan*,
Huiwen Yuan,
Yingfeng Zhao and
Zhi Liang
National Center of Inspection & Testing on Building Materials Products Quality (Nanjing), Nanjing Institute of Product Quality Inspection (Nanjing Institute of Quality Development and Advanced Technology Application), Nanjing 211102, China. E-mail: DG1524109@smail.nju.edu.cn
First published on 14th November 2023
In modern society, people spend most of their time indoors engaging in their work and home life. However, indoor air pollution is a potential risk to health, and it is associated with many diseases. Wooden furniture, as the most popular indoor furniture used in modern times, is a major source of indoor air pollution, so it has become imperative to explore the composition and release kinetics characteristics of toxic and hazardous substances from wood-based panels. In this study, thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) was used to detect the release of organic compounds from wood panels, and determine the release kinetics of the organic compounds dimethyl acetal, phenol, toluene and decanoic acid via bi-exponential and mass transfer models to provide a theoretical basis for targeted pollution prevention and control. In this project, a climate chamber method was used to conduct a 120 h continuous sampling of the release concentration of compounds from wood panels. The TD-GC-MS method was used to analyze the sampling tubes, and the concentration–time data were fitted to the bi-exponential and mass transfer models. The emission factor equation was obtained from the bi-exponential model. The critical physical parameters, such as the initial internal release concentration C0, internal diffusion rate Dm, and solid-phase/gas-phase partition coefficient K, were obtained from the mass transfer model. Finally, it was found that dimethyl acetal and toluene were easily and rapidly released into the air, while phenol and decanoic acid were slowly released into the ambient air. The two sets of release kinetics characteristics provide an essential theoretical basis for targeted pollution prevention and control, as well as a methodological path for studying the release kinetics of different toxic and hazardous substances.
Through an in-depth analysis of the history of IAP, the corresponding prevention, risk exposure assessment research, traceability, distribution, migration, degradation, intake, and absorption are necessary for exposure analysis and risk assessment. Further research, prevention and control should be carried out for the community with a shared interest in the future of humankind.4,5
Indoor air quality impacts on the comfort, health, and happiness of human life, and poor quality air affects the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.6–10 Governments and international agencies have continuously set standard values for air quality. The German Environment Agency has set limits for 58 compounds, and China has also set limits on 13 compounds.11 Moreover, the field of indoor air chemistry faces more great challenges arising from novel materials applications and population density growth.5,12–14
IAP comprises formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), etc. Formaldehyde pollution draws significant attention, especially in newly decorated houses.15,16 However, VOCs, which represent more toxic and hazardous substances, have not received sufficient research attention.17
Wooden furniture is widely used in human life. However, wooden furniture releases large amounts of VOCs, which seriously impact human health as an essential pollution source in indoor air.18–21 Artificial board is the main material of wooden furniture, wherein volatile substances are mainly contained in the wood itself and are introduced during materials processing, including through the use of adhesives and other such compounds. Therefore, it is meaningful to research the toxic and harmful substances and their release from wooden panels.22,23 Moreover, the irritating odor from wooden furniture affects the comfort of humans indoors, which is also a severe problem.24 The analysis method widely used in wooden furniture testing is gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).13,20,22,25–27
To accurately determine the principles governing the release of VOCs from wooden panels and wooden furniture, some physical parameters are essential, such as the internal initial release concentration, internal diffusion rate, and partition constants of organic compounds in the panels and air.23,28–32 There are two significant ways in which organic compounds in IAP affect the quality of life: one is the health hazards that arise from the pollution,33 and the other is the odor impact of the pollutants.24,34
Existing studies usually use an exponential model or mass-transfer model for individual study.35 Exponential modeling can only reveal some of the apparent parameters of release kinetics, but cannot explain the intrinsic mechanisms of release kinetics, while the mass-transfer model can be used to understand the release concentration, the internal diffusion rate, the partition coefficient, the convective mass transfer coefficient and the mass-transfer Bivouac number, and other parameters, in terms of the release kinetics of a certain compound in a certain type of material sheet. The combination of the two methods is mutually beneficial, in corroborating and complementing each other, and this study combines the two methods to provide a more comprehensive and scientific explanation of the release kinetics of compounds from wood-based panels.
The equation is as follows:
E(t) = E1(t) + E2(t) = E1(0)e−k1t + E2(0)e−k2t | (1) |
It was assumed that the amount of adsorbed VOCs on the climate chamber interior was negligible. The mass balance equation in the climate chamber is as follows:
VdC(t) = AE(t)dt − QC(t)dt | (2) |
Assuming the initial concentration of VOCs to be zero, the following equation can be derived from the two equations above:
C(t) = LE1(0)(e−k1t − e−Nt)/(N − k1) + LE2(0)(e−k2t − e−Nt)/(N − k2) | (3) |
The emission factor of the panel is:
E(t) = E1e−k1t + E2e−k2t | (4) |
The equations are as follows:
(5) |
Bim = hmδ/Dm, α = Qδ2/VDm, β = Aδ/V | (6) |
Gn = [Kβ + (α − qn2)KBim−1 + 2]qn2cosqn + [Kβ + (α − 3qn2)KBim−1 + α − qn2]qnsinqn | (7) |
The mass transfer Biovolt number, Bim, is the ratio of diffusive mass transfer resistance inside the material to convective mass transfer resistance outside the material. α is the air exchange rate; β is the ratio of the materials volume to the climate chamber volume; A is the surface area of the panel (m2); δ is half of the panel thickness value (m); V is the interior volume of the climate chamber (m3); Q is the air flow rate in the climate chamber (m3 h−1); K is the distribution factor between the panel surface and the surrounding air; and hm is the convective mass transfer coefficient (m s−1).
qn is the positive root of the following equations:
(8) |
The real-time release concentration conforms to the following equation:
(9) |
(10) |
The linearization of the equation is as follows:
ln(Ca(t) − Cin) = kt + b | (11) |
k = −Dmδ−2q12 | (12) |
(13) |
To obtain a solution to the equation, the parameters Dm, hm and K should be estimated using PARAMS. Igor Pro and Wolfgram were used to process the data, and simulation validation was executed using the IAQX of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The basic condition for both models was the assumption that the air was well mixed. Eqn (5) is derived from Fick's second law of internal diffusion processes, boundary conditions for boundary convection processes, and the conservation of mass and transform of Laplace. To solve eqn (5), you need to solve eqn (7) and (8) firstly. Specific solutions can be found in the literature.36
Dimethyl acetal, toluene, phenol and decanoic acid were chosen as representative research compounds based on their retention time, odor, and toxicity. Toluene is one of the most concerning toxic and hazardous substances and the semi-quantitative reference for this experimental method. Dimethyl acetal has a low boiling point and an irritating odor. Phenol has a medium boiling point, particular odor, and high toxicity. Decanoic acid has a higher boiling point and an unpleasant odor. It was essential to compare the differences in the release pattern of the four compounds.
In the first process, the release rate is mainly dominated by the migration rate of molecules from the panel surface to the surrounding air. Furthermore, in the second process, the release rate is dominated by the diffusion process of molecules from the interior to the surface. A bi-exponential model was used to describe the entire process.
As shown in Fig. 2 and Table 1, four compounds were selected: dimethyl acetal, phenol, toluene, and decanoic acid. Release curves were plotted based on the release concentrations of these compounds at different time points. Data analysis proved that the IAQX software fitting was also performed based on these formula sets because of the same results obtained. The initial rapid release came from compounds that had been enriched on the surface of the panels before being placed in the climate chamber. Moreover, fast dissipation arose from the air exchange. The trend then slowed as the release rate-limiting step shifted to internal diffusion.
Compound name | Emission factor equations of the panels |
---|---|
Dimethyl acetal | E(t) = 0.0677 × e−1.16t + 0.0114 × e−0.01t |
Phenol | E(t) = 0.0045 × e−0.0048t + 0.003 × e−0.13t |
Toluene | E(t) = 0.11 × e−1.9t + 0.012 × e−0.003t |
Decanoic acid | E(t) = 0.022 × e−0.26t + 0.001 × e−0.005t |
The initial release of dimethyl acetal and toluene was faster than phenol and decanoic acid on comparing the release curves of the four compounds. This means that dimethyl acetal and toluene are more easily released from the panel surface to the climate chamber air than phenol and decanoic acid. The biexponential model fitting parameters are shown in Tables S3, S5, S7 and S9.†
Fig. 3 Mass transfer model fitting of the release of four compounds: (A) dimethyl acetal, (B) phenol, (C) toluene, and (D) decanoic acid. |
Compound name | Mass transfer model fitting equation |
---|---|
Toluene | Ln(Ca(t) − Cin) = −24683.9 × Dm × t + ln(3.06 × 10−6 × C0) |
Dimethyl acetal | Ln(Ca(t) − Cin) = −6870.6 × Dm × t + ln(7.4 × 10−5 × C0) |
Decanoic acid | Ln(Ca(t) − Cin) = −1089.0 × Dm × t + ln(1.3 × 10−9 × C0) |
Phenol | Ln(Ca(t) − Cin) = −3520.4 × Dm × t + ln(2.95 × 10−7 × C0) |
Several physical parameters assist in characterizing the release kinetics. When Bim/K is >35, the compound release is limited by the migration rate from the interior to the surface. When Bim/K is <1, the compound release is limited by the migration rate from the surface to the surrounding air. When Bim/K is between 1 and 35, the compound release characteristics require further experimental determination.
The four compounds exhibit different release kinetics properties by comparing the physical parameters obtained by fitting them using a mass transfer model (Table 3). Dimethyl acetal was most easily released into the air as a result of its lower K value and the higher hm value. Toluene was also quickly released into the air due to its lower K value. Phenol tends to collect on the panel's surface and is released into the air more slowly due to high Dm and K values. Decanoic acid also tends to collect on the panel's surface and is release into the air the slowest due to its high Dm and K values and low hm value. In terms of Bim/K, the values of decanoic acid and phenol are <1, and the values of toluene and dimethyl acetal are between 1 and 35. This means that the release rate-limiting step of decanoic acid and phenol is the migration rate from the surface to the air. In contrast, the toluene and dimethyl acetal release rate-limiting step is the diffusion rate from the interior to the surface. It was found that the internal diffusion rate of the larger molecular weight decanoic acid was surprisingly faster compared to the smaller molecular weight dimethyl acetal. We believe that we can refer to the molecular sieve column principle, in that the diffusion transport of compounds with larger molecules in a sieve pore-shaped material adopts the shortest path, so compounds with larger molecular weights will have a faster rate of internal diffusion. The mass transfer model fitting parameters are shown in Tables S4, S6, S8 and S10.†
Key parameters | Dimethyl acetal | Toluene | Phenol | Decanoic acid |
---|---|---|---|---|
a The data was estimated by PARAMS. | ||||
C0 (μg m−3) | 4.3 × 103 | 1.7 × 106 | 7.3 × 106 | 5.0 × 108 |
Dm (m2 s−1) | 3.9 × 10−10 | 1.6 × 10−11 | 3.98 × 10−10 | 2.3 × 10−9 |
Ka | 73.98 | 706 | 2.47 × 104 | 5.047 × 106 |
hm (m s−1)a | 5.06 × 10−4 | 4.24 × 10−4 | 4.39 × 10−4 | 3.52 × 10−4 |
Bim/Ka | 2.4 | 15.94 | 0.565 | 0.15 |
This study combined bi-exponential and mass transfer models to determine the release kinetics of the compounds in panels. The release rate-limiting steps were determined by differentiating the C0, Dm, K, and Bim/K values of the four representative compounds to obtain two groups of release kinetics characteristics.
The release kinetics characteristics of toluene were medium concentration and quick release due to a lower K and higher C0; the release kinetics characteristics of dimethyl acetal were low concentration and immediate release due to a lower K and higher hm; the release kinetics characteristics of phenol were surface enrichment and medium release due to a medium Dm, medium hm and higher K; and the release kinetics characteristics of decanoic acid were low concentration, easy surface enrichment and slow release due to higher Dm, higher K and lower hm.
This indicates that toluene and dimethyl acetal are more inclined to be released into the air, and window ventilation has a higher emission efficiency, making them more suitable for adsorption degradation-type governance programs, such as maximizing window ventilation, air purifier adsorption, activated carbon adsorption, etc. However, decanoic acid and phenol are more inclined to be enriched on the surface of a panel, so production source control becomes more critical, making them more suitable for surface spraying degradation-type governance programs, such as photocatalysts, etc.
Through the study of the release kinetics characteristics of organic compounds, the pollution characteristics of indoor furniture products and decoration and building materials products can be more accurately assessed, which is conducive to optimizing the selection of pollutant control means and more accurately calculating the carbon emission characteristics of pollutants, promoting the scientific improvement of indoor environmental evaluation and environmental management, as well as the formulation of more scientifically effective targeted treatment programs.
In the future, based on the release kinetics research, the project will continue to focus on expanding research categories, exploring new pollutants, prevention and control research and information technology-assisted research.
The study of the release kinetics of compounds in wood-based panels can provide a theoretical basis and methodological reference for the tracing of IAP sources, multi-parameter dynamic identification of IAPs, high-efficiency low-carbon purification and online monitoring.
Footnote |
† Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ra03587e |
This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2023 |