One-pot synthesis of the amine-modified meso-structured monolith CO2 adsorbent

Abstract

A new attempt to synthesize the amine-modified meso-structured monolith CO₂ adsorbent in a one-pot process is reported here for the first time, in which tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) is utilized not only as the modifier coating onto the resulting monolith, but also the additive controlling the generation of micropores in the silica wall. The amount of TEPA has multiple influences on the synthesis, affecting hydrolysis-condensation of the silicate precursor, impacting the textural properties of the silica skeleton and determining the final CO₂ adsorption ability. Apart from the advantage of saving time and energy in their synthesis, these resulting TEPA containing monoliths possess a considerable mechanistic strength bearing the pressure of 64 N cm⁻², and exhibiting a high capacity up to 171 mg g⁻¹ in CO₂ adsorption.