Application of mesoporous molecular sieves as selective smoke filtration additives

Abstract

A smoking article includes a filter element having MCM-41 as a mesoporous molecular sieve. Also, a smokable article includes a smokable material and a wrapping paper having MCM-41 as the mesoporous molecular sieve. The mesoporous molecular sieve may be used in combination with charcoal or impregnated with copper oxide to further enhance filtration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENTIAL LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC [0003] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of the Invention [0005] The present invention relates to a smoking article having a filter element and / or smokable material containing a highly structured mesoporous molecular sieve, and more specifically, a smoking article having a filter element and / or smokable material containing a highly porous amorphous silica (hereinafter referred to as “MCM-41”), as the highly structured mesoporous molecular sieve for filtering vapor phase constituents in mainstream smoke. [0006] 2. Description of the Related Art [0007] Typical smoking articles, such as cigarettes, have a cylindrical filter element axially aligned with a cylindrical tobacco-filled rod. The filter eleme...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The surface chemistry of siliceous MCM-41 is comprised of silanol groups (SiOH), and may be synthesized using cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTACl), H2O, Na2O, and SiO2. The formed MCM-41 may be utilized as a mesoporous molecular sieve in smoking articles. MCM-41 has a highly condensed surface with less SiOH groups than silica, and its uniqueness is in the shape it adopts by forming around a template which is subsequently removed. The use of mesopores as an absorbent is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,370, to Kuma, et al. Furthermore, MCM-41 has a large surface area, where the BET surface area is approximately 1000 m2 / g, and thus has a high sorption capacity. (“BET” refers to Brunaur, Emmett, and Teller, three scientists who optimized the theory for measuring surface areas.) MCM-41 is effective for reducing levels of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, nitrites, and naphthalene.

Problems solved by technology

Often, these materials are non-selective, thereby removing desirable components from the mainstream smoke and resulting in an undesirable taste.

If the particle size is too large, there may be insufficient surface area to accomplish the desired filtration.

Carbon is often impregnated with a flavorant in an attempt to camouflage the metallic flavor and may actually block the pores, an impediment to filtration, and finding a preferred flavorant loading percentage is difficult and inefficient.

A smoking article with a filter element capable of filtering vapor phase components that is efficient to produce and does not yield a metallic flavor is desired.

Images