Chitosan modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes and arginine aerogel for enhanced carbon capture

Abstract

Global warming is emerging as a significant issue because of increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere due to urbanization, industrialization, and fossil-fuel usage. Therefore, reducing atmospheric CO2 levels using new materials with high carbon capture capacity and efficient CO2 capture technologies is essential. Herein, we propose a hybrid chitosan (CS) aerogel containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and an arginine (Arg) aerogel (CSCNTArg aerogel) for efficient carbon capture. This aerogel was successfully synthesized using a cross-linker reagent via step-freeze drying method. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses confirmed the successful grafting of CS, MWCNTs, and Arg onto the CSCNTArg aerogel. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed good thermal stability up to 500 °C of the as-developed aerogel. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the surface morphology of the CSCNTArg aerogel differed from that of CS, Arg, and MWCNTs with pores on their surfaces. N2 and CO2 adsorption–desorption studies on the CSCNTArg aerogel were performed using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method and TGA, respectively. The CSCNTArg aerogel showed a high adsorption capacity of approximately 5.00 mmol g−1 at 35 °C. Therefore, this new material may be useful for facilitating high-efficiency CO2 adsorption to reduce atmospheric carbon footprint.