Carbon spheres as CO2 sorbents

Abstract

Microporous nanocarbon spheres were prepared by using a microwave assisted solvothermal method. To improve the carbon dioxide adsorption properties, potassium oxalate monohydrate and ethylene diamine (EDA) were employed, and the influence of carbonization temperature on adsorption properties was investigated. For nanocarbon spheres containing not only activator, but also EDA, an increase in the carbonization temperature from 600 °C to 800 °C resulted in an increase of the specific surface area of nearly 300% (from 439 to 1614 m2/g) and an increase of the CO2 adsorption at 0 °C and 1 bar (from 3.51 to 6.21 mmol/g).