Effect of polyether amine canopy structure on carbon dioxide uptake of solvent-free nanofluids based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

A series of specific solvent-free nanofluids with ionically tethered polyether amine terminated polymers were successfully prepared and evaluated based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The newly synthesized sorbents exhibited enhanced carbon dioxide (CO2) capture capacities compared to their corresponding polyether amine and pristine MWCNTs. The effects of polyether amine canopy structure such as amine types, Molecular weight (Mw), Ethylene Oxide/Propylene Oxide (EO/PO), viscosity and melting point on CO2 capture capacities were investigated. It had been demonstrated that the sorbents impregnated with more unprotonated amine groups and higher Mw or EO/PO showed larger CO2 capture capacities and good stabilities over multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. Last but not least, we also demonstrated that the lower melting point and viscosity were beneficial for the CO2 uptake.