Aerogels Based on Calcium Alginate and Silicon Dioxide and Modified with Carbon Nanotubes for Selective Sorption of Argon from a Mixture with Oxygen

Abstract

Two kinds of aerogels, those based on silicon dioxide and on calcium aginate, modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes, were synthesized by the sol–gel method. The aerogels were tested as adsorbents for separating the argon–oxygen gas mixture. The adsorbent based on calcium alginate with 30 wt % content of multiwalled carbon nanotubes exhibits increased selectivity to argon in its adsorption from a mixture with oxygen.