Speaker
Description
Jakub Szczurowski1, Adrian Lubecki1, Patryk Bartulik1, Katarzyna Zarębska2
1 Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland; szczurow@agh.edu.pl
2 Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Geomatics and Renewable Energy, Kielce University of Technology, 25-314 Kielce, Poland; kzarebska@tu.kielce.pl
In response to the high demand for effective carbon dioxide (CO2) mitigation and removal strategies, this study addresses the development and characterization of new materials - carbon/MOF (Metal-Organic Framework) composites. These materials represent a significant advance in the field of direct air capture (DAC) technology, offering a promising avenue to address growing concerns about elevated CO2 levels in the atmosphere. This study presents a comprehensive synthesis and characterization of carbon/MOF composites, tailored for efficient CO2 capture in DAC applications.
We started our research by developing a new method for synthesizing carbon/MOF composites. This method focused on optimizing porosity and surface area, key factors for efficient CO2 adsorption. The synthesized composites were then characterized to clarify their textural properties. Porosity was mainly analyzed using argon adsorption isotherm measurements, which provided detailed insight into the pore size distribution and surface area of the composites. The main focus of our research was to evaluate the CO2 adsorption isotherms of these materials at different temperatures: 273K, 298K and 323K. These temperatures were chosen to simulate the range of environmental conditions in which DAC systems can operate. CO2 adsorption isotherms at these temperatures offer a clear picture of the CO2 capture efficiency. In addition to these measurements, we also focused on the isosteric heat of adsorption, a key parameter in assessing the energy efficiency of the adsorption process. This parameter provides insight into the strength of the interaction between CO2 molecules and the adsorbent. Higher isosteric heat indicates stronger interactions, which may be beneficial for initial CO2 capture, but may require more energy to regenerate. Our results showed significant differences in adsorption capacity and isosteric heat, highlighting the temperature-dependent behavior of these materials in CO2 capture and the energy implications of their use in DAC systems. The study not only reinforces the potential of these materials in environmental applications, but also sets the foundation for future research to improve the performance and scalability of DAC technology a crucial step in breaking free from the CO2 loop. Addressing scalability and cost challenges is essential for advancing DAC technology. Research into adsorbent regeneration and durability will enhance real-world application, paving the way for successful, efficient CO2 mitigation. Our findings demonstrate significant advances in DAC technology, offering a hopeful outlook towards successfully addressing the global challenge of elevated atmospheric CO2 levels.
Acknowledgements:
Funding: The project was carried out within the OPUS 2022. This research was fully funded by the National Science Centre, Poland, grant number OPUS-22 UMO-2021/43/B/ST8/01636.
