Development of ultramicropore-mesopore interconnected pore architectures for boosting carbon dioxide capture at low partial pressure

The physical adsorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) using porous solid adsorbent is greatly hindered by high temperature and low pressure, resulting in a decrease in capture performance in terms of capacity, selectivity, and kinetics. Here we report an effective synthesis of 3D hierarchical porous carbon with ultramicropore-mesopore interconnected pore architectures that are able to boost the CO2 adsorption at elevated temperature and low partial pressure. This unique pore structure is benefit from the uniform introduction of a combination of alkali metals (Li, Na, K) and other metals (Mg, Ca, Zn) in the resin precursor. Specifically, the employed dual metal in-situ activation method allows generation of extensive mesopores with pore size in the range of 3-5 and 7-9 nm without sacrificing distribution of ultra-micropore. These properties result in an enhanced dynamic CO2 capacity from 1.36 to 1.54 mmol/g (40 degrees C and 0.15 bar), higher CO2/N-2 selectivity from 73 to 85 as well as advanced mass transport kinetics. This work paves the way for the development of high-performance CO2 adsorbent at low partial pressure and provides a strategy to prepare interconnected pore architectures for a variety of potential adsorption application. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a 3D hierarchical porous carbon material was successfully synthesized, which showed enhanced CO2 adsorption capacity at high temperature and low pressure. The unique pore structure of this material was achieved by introducing a combination of metals and alkali metals in the resin precursor. The experimental results demonstrated that this porous carbon material could significantly improve CO2 adsorption capacity, selectivity, and kinetics.