A Novel Experimental and Computational Study on the VOC Water Filters Using Tree Bark

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as THMs, PCE, and MTBE have been shown to cause leukemia and liver cancer in humans and ecological damage when released into water supplies. This study proposes an alternative VOC filter based on lignin derived from tree bark, a waste product in the wood industry. This study compared filters made from hydrophobic, heat-treated fir and pine bark powder with conventional activated carbon filters. While the BET surface area of tree bark powder is minute at 3.13–6.22 m2/g, it adsorbs organic compounds at a satisfactory rate. The tree bark filters showed effectiveness, reaching 95% of that of activated carbon filters and an 85% adsorption rate of chloroform in water, proving its viability as a means for removing waterborne VOCs. Filters made from otherwise wasted tree bark will have a lower environmental impact and disposal cost due to their low production carbon footprint and biodegradability after use. It also has attractive potential as an appropriate technology for regions that lack drinking water due to VOC contamination. A computational study was also performed on the VOC molecules and heated lignin particles.