Selective Removal of Hydrogen Cyanide from Cigarette Smoke by Combined Filter of Coptis Alkaloid

Coptis alkaloids were extracted from rhizome of Coptis chinensis rich in quaternary ammonium hydroxide and added into cigarette filter. On the basis of the reduction of hydrogen cyanide delivery in cigarette smoke, the way of coptis alkaloid adding into filter, carrier selection, pH of alkali solution for carrier treatment and the adding rate of coptis alkaloids were optimized. The results showed that: 1) The delivery of hydrogen cyanide decreased with the increase of adding rate of coptis alkaloid powder in filter. 2) Comparing with porous starch and coconut shell activated carbon, carrier of activated carbon fiber (ACF) carried more coptis alkaloids. The removal rate of hydrogen cyanide increased after coptis alkaloids carried ACF was washed by sodium hydroxide solution with the pH of 10. 3) The highest removal rates of hydrogen cyanide (23.8% ) and tar (20.7% ) from mainstream cigarette smoke were obtainable when the filter containing 15 mg of the ACF carried coptis alkaloids (100 mg/g).