Effects of aminated carbon molecular sieves on breakthrough curve behavior in CO2/CH4 separation

In this study, the breakthrough curve behaviors of aminated carbon molecular sieves (CMSs) were investigated for a CO2/CH4 mixed gas, and the selective separation of CO2 was demonstrated. Nitrogen functional groups were effectively introduced onto the surfaces of the a-CMSs, and they attached themselves to the pores of the CMSs as the ammonium hydroxide concentration was increased. Nitrogen functional groups on the surfaces of the aminated CMSs, such as -NH2 and -CN, played an important role in guiding CO2 into the micropores via the attractive forces felt by the electrons in the CO2 molecules. (C) 2012 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.