Novel Amine-impregnated Mesostructured Silica Materials for CO₂ Capture

In this work, mesostructured KIL-2 silica materials were synthesized and functionalized by impregnation with two different amino sources, polyethylenimine (PEI) and Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), for their application to low temperature CO₂ capture. Infrared spectroscopy verified that amino groups were successfully incorporated on the surface of the silica support and within its interparticle porosity. N₂ sorption analysis of the synthesized silica materials showed a decrease in surface area and total pore volume as a result of the impregnation with the amine groups. The CO₂ capture capacity of prepared sorbents was evaluated by CO₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms at 25 °C and 90 °C. The highest sorption capacity was achieved at 90 °C for KIL-2-TEPA material (4.35 mmol/g ads), which is significantly higher than values previously reported in the literature for similar type of disordered mesopore structure materials under similar conditions.