Super-activated CNB for CO2 capture: The development of the nitrogen containing porous carbon by chlorination and post KOH-activation

Abstract

Minimization of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere is a prerequisite to solving climate change. Tremendous research has been conducted to capture the CO2 from pre- and post-combustion using nanoporous materials. Nitrogen-doped porous carbon is one of the most promising CO2 adsorbents. Achieving high nitrogen content and high micropore volume is essential to CO2 adsorption properties. In this study, super activated nitrogen and boron co-doped porous carbons (K-CNBs) are successfully synthesized by the chlorination and the subsequent KOH chemical activation. Nitrogen and boron co-doped porous carbons (CNBs) are synthesized by the chlorination of titanium carbonitride and boride mixture. CNBs good thermal and oxidation stability that induces an increase in the nitrogen content as well as an increase in the micropore volume even after the activation. K-CNBs, having both high micropore volume and abundant pyridonic-N functional group, show superior CO2 uptake at ambient temperature at atmospheric pressure with excellent CO2/N2 selectivity. K-CNBs are the best CO2 capturer among the nitrogen-containing carbon materials, reaching the threshold of CO2 uptakes performance.