Synthesis, Carbonization, and CO2 Adsorption Properties of Phloroglucinol–Melamine–Formaldehyde Polymeric Nanofibers

Abstract

Amine-rich polymeric nanofibers were hydrothermally synthesized by a simple polycondensation method using melamine, phloroglucinol, and formaldehyde as starting materials. The synthesized phloroglucinol–melamine–formaldehyde (PMF) polymeric nanofibers were characterized by various techniques, such as scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, N2 adsorption–desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, etc. Pure CO2 gas adsorption on the as-prepared PMF nanofibers was investigated by the volumetric method. Breakthrough column experiments showed that CO2–N2 or CO2–CH4 mixtures could be separated on the PMF nanofibers. Additionally, the PMF polymeric fibers were carbonized, leading to nitrogen-rich carbon nanofibers, which exhibited an improved CO2 adsorption capacity.