In situ growth of mesoporous hydroxyapatite on cigarette filters for reducing harmful components in smoke and...

Cigarette filter modification is considered a promising strategy for mitigating smoking-related harm due to its potential effectiveness and practicality. However, concerns regarding cigarette structural integrity and the presence of organic compounds may impede its broader applications. Herein, a green and facile method is introduced for the in situ growth of mesoporous hydroxyapatite (mHAP) within cellulose acetate filter (CAF), subsequently functionalized with Oriental Paperbush-derived carbon dots (OP-CDs). The resulting OP-CDs@mHAP/CAF composites demonstrate effective odor masking capability, attributed to the compatible aroma profiles between the caramel-like sweet notes of the OP-CDs and cigarette smoke. Furthermore, leveraging the free radical-scavenging properties of the OP-CDs and the superior absorption capacity of mHAP for key oily composites like nicotine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in smoke, the OP-CDs@mHAP/CAF composites can significantly suppress lung inflammation and enhance in vivo antioxidant levels, suggesting their potential to mitigate smoke-induced pulmonary injury. However, it should be noted that smoking remains inherently harmful, and filter modification can only partially reduce certain toxic components. Moreover, the composites exhibit favorable biodegradability and flame-retardant properties. This work highlights the potential of OP-CDs@mHAP/CAF to reduce cigarette smoke toxicity while masking odors, offering an innovative strategy for developing harm reduction devices in cigarette filter modification.