Insights into the CO2 Capture Characteristics within the Hierarchical Pores of Carbon Nanospheres Using Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

Understanding adsorption processes at the molecular level has transformed the discovery of engineered materials for maximizing gas storage capacity and kinetics in adsorption-based carbon capture applications. In this work, we studied the molecular mechanism of gas (CO2, H2, methane, and ethane) adsorption inside an interconnected porous network of carbon. This was achieved by synthesizing novel macro-meso-microporous carbon (M3C) nanospheres with interconnected pore structures. The M3Cs showed a CO2 capture capacity of 5.3 mmol/g at atmospheric CO2 pressure, with excellent kinetics. This was due to fast CO2 adsorption within the interconnected hierarchical macro-meso-microporous M3C. In situ small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) under various CO2 pressures indicated that the macro-and mesopores of M3C enable fast diffusion of CO2 molecules inside the micropores, where adsorbed CO2 molecules densify into a liquid-like state. This strong densification of CO2 molecules causes fast CO2 diffusion in the macro-and mesopores of M3C, restarting the adsorption cycle for fresh CO2 molecules until all pores are completely filled. Notably, M3C also showed good capture capacities for hydrogen and various hydrocarbons, with excellent selectivity toward ethane over methane.

Automated summary

Understanding the molecular mechanism of gas adsorption in interconnected porous carbon is crucial for designing engineered materials with maximum gas storage capacity and kinetics for carbon capture applications. The synthesis of novel macro-meso-microporous carbon (M3C) nanospheres with interconnected pore structures allowed for fast CO2 adsorption and high capture capacity. In situ small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) revealed that the macro- and mesopores of M3C facilitate fast diffusion of CO2 molecules, leading to densification and fast diffusion in the macro- and mesopores until complete filling.