Co2 Adsorption by Surface Modified Carbon Sorbents

Anthropogenic emissions have increased the CO2 concentration on the atmosphere with over 30% compared to pre-industrialize levels [1]. Most of these anthropogenic emissions are caused by fossil fuel utilization, where around one-third is due to electricity generation from fossil fuel combustion, mainly from coal-fired units. Furthermore, fossil fuel electricity generation units rank as the first target to reduce anthropogenic emissions due to their stationary nature. However, the costs of current CO2 separation and capture technologies are estimated to be about 75% of the total cost of ocean or geological sequestration, including the costs for compression to the required pressure for subsequent sequestration [2]. New solid-based sorbents are being investigated, where the amine groups are bonded to a solid surface, resulting in an easier regeneration step [3-5]. The supports used thus far, including commercial molecular sieves and activated carbons, are very expensive and hinder the economical viability of the process. Accordingly, there is a need to find low-cost precursors that can compete with the expensive commercial supports, and develop effective solid sorbents that can be easily regenerated, and therefore, have an overall lower cost over their lifetime performance.