# US 9,038,829 B2 · Nanostructured sorbent materials for capturing environmental mercury vapor

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- Number: US 9,038,829 B2
- Document ID: US9038829B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/919,831
- Filed: 2008-10-07
- Published: 2011-03-03
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2008-02-28
- Assignees: Brown University
- Applicants: Robert H. Hurt; Steven P. Hamburg; Love Sarin; Indrek Kulaots
- Inventors: Robert H. Hurt; Steven P. Hamburg; Love Sarin; Indrek Kulaots
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038829B2

## CPC

- H01J 61/26: Means for absorbing or adsorbing gas, e.g. by gettering; Means for preventing blackening of the envelope
- B01D 39/2006: {the material being particulate}
- B32B 1/00: Layered products having a non-planar shape
- B32B 5/18: characterised by features of a layer {of} foamed material
- B32B 5/24: one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B 7/00: Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
- B32B 7/02: Physical, chemical or physicochemical properties
- B32B 27/06: as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08)}
- B32B 29/002: {as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/06; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/06; next to a water-setting substance layer B32B13/08; next to a metal layer B32B15/12; next to a glass layer B32B17/065; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/046; next to a wood layer B32B21/06; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/06; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/06; next to a synthetic resin layer B32B27/10)}
- B65D 85/42: for ampoules; for lamp bulbs; for electronic valves or tubes
- C22B 3/24: by adsorption on solid substances, e.g. by extraction with solid resins
- C22B 7/001: {Dry processes}
- C22B 43/00: Obtaining mercury
- B01J 20/0262: {Compounds of O, S, Se, Te}
- B32B 2255/00: Coating on the layer surface
- B32B 2260/00: Layered product comprising an impregnated, embedded, or bonded layer wherein the layer comprises an impregnation, embedding, or binder material
- B32B 2264/10: Inorganic particles
- B32B 2264/105: Metal
- B32B 2264/108: Carbon, e.g. graphite particles
- B32B 2266/0228: Aromatic vinyl resin, e.g. styrenic (co)polymers
- B32B 2307/554: Wear resistance
- B32B 2432/00: Cleaning articles, e.g. mops or wipes
- B32B 2439/46: Bags
- B32B 2439/62: Boxes, cartons, cases
- Y02P 10/20: Recycling
- Y10S 977/773: Nanoparticle, i.e. structure having three dimensions of 100 nm or less
- H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- C22B: PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS (electrolytic C25); PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

The present invention is a method and material for using a sorbent material to capture and stabilize mercury. The method for using sorbent material to capture and stabilize mercury contains the following steps. First, the sorbent material is provided. The sorbent material, in one embodiment, is nano-particles. In a preferred embodiment, the nano-particles are unstabilized nano-Se. Next, the sorbent material is exposed to mercury in an environment. As a result, the sorbent material captures and stabilizes mercury from the environment. In the preferred embodiment, the environment is an indoor space in which a fluorescent has broken.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A packaging material for capturing mercury, comprising:
an active layer containing sorbent material for capturing and stabilizing mercury, the sorbent material comprising unstabilized nano-Se particles having high mercury capture;
whereby mercury is captured and stabilized by the sorbent material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The packaging material of claim 1, further comprising:
a non-porous barrier layer, situated on a top surface of the active layer to slow or prevent the passage of mercury allowing time for adsorption by the active layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The packaging material of claim 1, further comprising:
a protective layer underlying a bottom surface of the active layer, the protective layer containing a porous carrier material to prevent skin contact with the sorbent material of the active layer during handling.

### Claim 4

A package for products which contain mercury comprising:
a sorbent material effective for capturing and stabilizing mercury, the sorbent material comprising unstabilized nano-Se particles having high mercury capture,
a carrier material and
the sorbent material being carried on the carrier material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The package of claim 4, further comprising:
the sorbent material in a location advantageous for capturing and stabilizing mercury vapor emitted from the product.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The package of claim 4, wherein the carrier material is a liner within the package.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The package of claim 4, wherein the carrier material is porous.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The package of claim 4, wherein the carrier material is non-porous.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The package of claim 4, wherein the carrier material is selected from a group consisting of: cardboard, textiles, paper, and plastic.

### Claim 10 (depends on 4)

The package of claim 4, wherein:
the sorbent material is impregnated within the carrier material.

### Claim 11 (depends on 4)

The package of claim 4, wherein:
the sorbent material is sprayed onto the carrier material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 4)

The package of claim 4, wherein:
the carrier material is dipped into the sorbent material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 4)

The package of claim 4, wherein the carrier material forms a part of a package for products containing mercury.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The package of claim 13, where the carrier material forms a part of a package for fluorescent bulbs.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The package of claim 13, where the carrier material forms a part of a package for mercury containing waste.

### Claim 16 (depends on 4)

The package of claim 4, further comprising:
the sorbent material in a pouch in a location advantageous for capturing and stabilizing mercury vapor from the product.