Effect of Activation Temperature on CO2 Capture Behaviors of Resorcinol-based Carbon Aerogels

Abstract

In this study, carbon aerogel (CA) was synthesized using a soft-template method, and the optimum conditions for the adsorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) by the carbon aerogel were evaluated by controlling the activation temperature. KOH was used as the activation agent at a KOH/CA activation ratio of 4:1. Three types of activated CAs were synthesized at activation temperatures of 800 degrees C (CA-K-800), 900 degrees C (CA-K-900), and 1000 degrees C (CA-K-1000), and their surface and pore characteristics along with the CO2 adsorption characteristics were examined. The results showed that with the increase in activation temperature from 800 to 900 degrees C, the total pore volume and specific surface area sharply increased from 1.2165 to 1.2500 cm(3)/g and 1281 to 1526 m(2)/g, respectively. However, the values for both these parameters decreased at temperatures above 1000 degrees C. The best CO2 adsorption capacity of 10.9 wt % was obtained for the CA-K-900 sample at 298 K and 1 bar. This result highlights the importance of the structural and textural characteristics of the carbon aerogel, prepared at different activation temperatures on CO2 adsorption behaviors.