Scientific Reports (Jul 2017)

Facile Synthesis of MgO-Modified Carbon Adsorbents with Microwave- Assisted Methods: Effect of MgO Particles and Porosities on CO2 Capture

  • Young-Jung Heo,
  • Soo-Jin Park

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06091-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract In this study, magnesium oxide (MgO)-modified carbon adsorbents were fabricated using a nitrogen-enriched carbon precursor by microwave-assisted irradiation for CO2 capture. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed the characteristic diffraction peaks of MgO at 43° and 62.5°, and no impurities were apparent. By changing the microwave reaction time, the spherical structure of the parent material was transformed to a hybrid structure with MgO crystalline particles in a carbon matrix. The morphology evolution and properties of the prepared materials were also investigated using transmission electron microscopy and N2 adsorption, respectively. On optimising the conditions, the prepared sample attained a high CO2 uptake of 1.22 mmol/g (5.3 wt.%) under flue gas conditions (15% CO2 in N2). It was found that MgO affected the CO2 capture behaviour by enhancing the fundamental characteristics of the carbon surfaces.