otassium Permanganate Impregnated Activated Alumina for Chemisorption of Formaldehyde from Indoor Air

Abstract

Indoor air contamination by formaldehyde poses significant health and environmental concerns due to its toxicity, volatility, and prolonged exposure risks in residential and industrial environments. This study investigates the performance of potassium permanganate impregnated activated alumina for the chemisorption-based removal of formaldehyde from indoor air streams. The research focuses on evaluating adsorption efficiency, oxidation behavior, and operational parameters influencing pollutant removal under controlled environmental conditions. Experimental investigations were conducted to examine the effects of inlet formaldehyde concentration, airflow rate, relative humidity, contact time, and impregnating agent loading on the chemisorption performance of the activated alumina medium. The results demonstrated that potassium permanganate impregnation significantly enhances the oxidative adsorption capacity of activated alumina by promoting the conversion of formaldehyde into less harmful compounds through surface chemical reactions. The modified adsorbent exhibited high removal efficiency, stable adsorption characteristics, and improved breakthrough performance compared to untreated alumina materials. Kinetic and equilibrium analyses revealed that the chemisorption process is governed by both surface reaction mechanisms and pore diffusion phenomena. The study further indicated that optimized humidity and airflow conditions improve pollutant interaction with active adsorption sites, thereby enhancing overall purification efficiency. In comparison with conventional physical adsorption systems, the impregnated activated alumina demonstrated superior long-term performance and reduced risk of pollutant desorption. The findings highlight the potential of potassium permanganate impregnated activated alumina as an effective and sustainable material for indoor air purification applications, supporting healthier indoor environments and improved air quality management strategies.