Method for neutralization, adsorption, and absorption of hazardous or otherwise undesired compounds in a tobacco product

Abstract

A tobacco product comprising nanocrystalline particles and methods of reducing the levels of undesirable compounds in tobacco smoke are provided. The nanocrystalline particles are effective sorbents of numerous toxic compounds released by burning tobacco and may be incorporated into the tobacco itself, incorporated into a filter element, or incorporated into the fibers of a wrapping paper.

1 . A tobacco product comprising nanocrystalline particles and tobacco. 
   
   
       2 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein said tobacco product is a cigarette or cigar. 
   
   
       3 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein said tobacco and said nanoparticles are contained within a paper wrapping. 
   
   
       4 . The tobacco product of  claim 3 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles are dispersed within said tobacco. 
   
   
       5 . The tobacco product of  claim 3 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles are loaded upon or contained within the fibers of said paper wrapping. 
   
   
       6 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein said tobacco product comprises a fibrous filter portion. 
   
   
       7 . The tobacco product of  claim 6 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles are included within said filter portion and are configured to contact and adsorb smoke and/or toxic materials produced from the burning of said tobacco. 
   
   
       8 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles are selected from the group consisting of the oxides, hydroxides, halides, carbonates, and phosphates of metals, metalloids, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The tobacco product of  claim 8 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles are selected from the group consisting of the oxides, hydroxides, halides, carbonates, nitrates, sulfates, and phosphates of transition metals, alkali metals, alkaline earth metal, lanthanide metals, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       10 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles have an average surface area of at least 20 m 2 /g. 
   
   
       11 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles have an average crystallite size of between about 2 to about 25 nm. 
   
   
       12 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles are amorphous and have an average crystallite size of less than 2 nm. 
   
   
       13 . The tobacco product of  claim 1 , wherein said tobacco product comprises between about 0.001% to about 2% by weight of said nanocrystalline particles based upon the weight of the entire tobacco product. 
   
   
       14 . A method of reducing the level of reducing the level of undesirable components in tobacco smoke from a tobacco product comprising the step of incorporating a quantity of nanocrystalline particles into said tobacco product. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles are combined with said tobacco prior to creation of said tobacco product. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said tobacco product is a cigarette or cigar. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of said nanocrystalline particles are incorporated into a filter portion of said tobacco product. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles are loaded upon or contained within the fibers of a paper wrapping of said tobacco product. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles are selected from the group consisting of the oxides, hydroxides, halides, carbonates, and phosphates of metals, metalloids, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles are selected from the group consisting of the oxides, hydroxides, halides, carbonates, and phosphates of transition metals, alkali metals, alkaline earth metal, lanthanide metals, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles have an average surface area of at least 20 m 2 /g. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles have an average crystallite size of between about 2 to about 25 nm. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said nanocrystalline particles are amorphous and have an average crystallite size of less than 2 nm. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said tobacco product comprises between about 0.001% to about 2% by weight of said nanocrystalline particles based upon the weight of the entire tobacco product. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 14 , including the step of combusting a portion of said tobacco product containing said tobacco thereby generating tobacco smoke and one or more undesirable compounds. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , said nanocrystalline particles sorbing at least one of said one or more undesirable compounds contained in said tobacco smoke. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , said one or more undesirable compounds being selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, N-nitrosamines, nicotine, phenol, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).