Amine-functionalized monodispersed porous silica microspheres with enhanced CO2 adsorption performance and good cyclic stability

Abstract

Carbon dioxide capture using solid adsorbent has caused more and more attention in the world. Herein, amine-functionalized monodispersed porous silica microspheres (MPSM) were prepared by the hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in a water–ethanol–dodecylamine mixed solution, then calcined at 600°C, and finally functionalized with tetraethylenepentamine (TEA). The CO2 adsorption performance of the prepared samples was measured using a Chemisorb 2720 pulse chemisorption system (Micromeritics, USA). The results showed that the specific surface area and pore volume of the 600°C-calcined SiO2 microspheres reached 921m2/g and 0.48cm3/g, respectively. All the TEA-functionalized samples exhibited good CO2 adsorption performance, which were related to the amount of loaded TEA, adsorption temperatures, and the specific surface areas of the prepared samples. An optimal TEA loading amount (34wt%) and adsorption temperature (75°C) were determined. The maximum CO2 adsorption amount (4.27mmolg−1 adsorbent) was achieved on the 600°C-calcined SiO2 microsphere sample with TEA loading of 34wt%. Repeated adsorption/desorption cycle experiments revealed that the TEA-functionalized SiO2 microspheres were good CO2 adsorbents exhibiting excellent cyclic stability.