Preparation and adsorption properties of polythylenimine containing fibrous adsorbent for carbon dioxide capture

We successfully prepared a novel fibrous adsorbent for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture by coating polyethylenimine (PEI) on a glass fiber matrix, using epoxy resin (EP) as crosslinking agent. The physicochemical properties of the fibrous adsorbents were characterized in terms of Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and thermogravimetric analysis. Factors that affected the adsorption capacity of the fibrous adsorbent were studied, including the crosslinking agent dosage, coating weight, moisture, adsorption temperature, and CO2 concentration of the simulated flue gas. The experimental results indicate that the properly crosslinked fibrous adsorbent had a high thermal stability at about 280 degrees C. With a PEI/EP ratio of 10:1, a maximum adsorption capacity of 276.96 mg of CO2/g of PEI was obtained at 30 degrees C. Moisture had a promoting influence on the adsorption of CO2 from flue gas. The CO2 adsorption capacity of the fibrous adsorbent in the presence of moisture could be 19 times higher than that in dry conditions. The fibrous adsorbent could be completely regenerated at 120 degrees C. The CO2 adsorption capacity of the regenerated fibrous adsorbent was almost the same as that of the fresh adsorbent. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.