Selective CO2 Sequestration with Monolithic Bimodal Micro/Macroporous Carbon Aerogels Derived from Polyamide-Polyimide-Polyurea Random Co-polymers
- Detailed Technology Description
- None
- Others
-
- *Abstract
-
Our inventors have fabricated microporous materials in multiscale porous monolithic forms: macropores are desirable because they provide convective mass transfer to active sites, which are the micropores on the walls of the porous monolith. Borrowing molecular design principles from microporous polymers (i.e., molecular rigidization by using multifunctional aromatic monomers), and with an eye to short-term implementation of our materials, we demonstrate micro/macroporous carbon aerogels prepared by pyrolysis of a three-way co-polymer (polyamide-polyimide-polyurea) synthesized with off-the-shelf monomers. The evolution of the porosity has been followed via chemical and nanoscopic characterization throughout all stages of processing. It was discovered that both closed and open microporosity were created by stepwise pyrolytic decomposition of the constituents of the polymeric aerogel precursor. Subsequently, reactive etching (with CO2) opened access to all pores. These carbon aerogels possess a good balance of adsorption capacity for CO2, and selectivity towards other gasses. The selectivity towards H2 (up to 928:1) is suitable for pre-combustion fuel purification. Relevant to post-combustion CO2 capture and sequestration,the selectivity towards N2 was in the 17:1 to 31:1 range, which, in combination with the attractive CO2 adsorption capacity, low monomer cost, and the innate physicochemical stability of carbon renders the disclosed materials reasonable candidates for further practical consideration.
- *Principal Investigator
-
Name: Nicholas Leventis, Associate Professor
Department:
Name: Chariklia Sotiriou-Leventis
Department:
Name: Malik Adnan Saeed, Grduate Student
Department:
- Country/Region
- USA
For more information, please click Here
