Carbon foam with microporous cell wall and strut for CO2 capture

Abstract

CO₂ capture on open cellular carbon foams prepared from molten sucrose using an aluminium nitrate blowing agent has been studied. The micropores in the cell walls and struts responsible for CO₂ adsorption are generated by an in situ activation and alumina pillaring. The carbon foams showed high CO₂ adsorption capacity (3.37 mmol g⁻¹), high CO₂/N₂ selectivity, very good recyclability and low regeneration temperature (50 °C). The carbon foam adsorbent avoids the gas diffusion related problems in conventional activated carbon powders.