Theoretical Study of As(2)O(3) Adsorption Mechanisms on CaO surface

Emission of hazardous trace elements, especially arsenic from fossil fuel combustion, have become a major concern. Under an oxidizing atmosphere, most of the arsenic converts to gaseous As(2)O(3). CaO has been proven effective in capturing As(2)O(3). In this study, the mechanisms of As(2)O(3) adsorption on CaO surface under O(2) atmosphere were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculation. Stable physisorption and chemisorption structures and related reaction paths are determined; arsenite (AsO(3)(3−)) is proven to be the form of adsorption products. Under the O(2) atmosphere, the adsorption product is arsenate (AsO(4)(3−)), while tricalcium orthoarsenate (Ca(3)As(2)O(8)) and dicalcium pyroarsenate (Ca(2)As(2)O(7)) are formed according to different adsorption structures.