Seamus William Delaney

Amine-functionalised mesoporous silicas as CO2 adsorbents

Abstract Mesoporous silica substrates were functionalized with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (apts) and aminoethylaminopropyltrimethoxysilane (aeapts) to form hybrid products suitable for CO2 adsorption. Combined thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) was used to determine CO2 adsorption capacities and heats of adsorption. The extent of surface functionalisation varied with substrate morphology. At 20°C reasonable CO2 adsorption capacities were observed under both dry and wet conditions. However, the heats of adsorption differed significantly; it is thought, due to simultaneous formation of bicarbonate species under wet conditions.