SBA-15 grafted with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane in supercritical propane for CO2 capture

Supercritical propane (SC-propane) was found to be a promising solvent for grafting (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APS) onto synthesized SBA-15 for CO2 capture. The influence of operating conditions in SC-propane for CO2 adsorption at different pressures (8.3-13.8 MPa), temperatures (85-120 degrees C), and periods of time (4-16 h) were evaluated. The CO2 adsorption conditions under different partial pressures, temperatures and moisture were evaluated. The results showed a reduction in pore characteristics and an increased amount of grafted APS with increasing pressure and temperature after grafting. After grafting in SC-propane at 11.0 MPa and various temperatures for 16 h, a 3-20% increase in the amount of grafted APS and a 6-49% increase in the CO2 adsorption capacity over the toluene refluxing was observed. The time required for grafting in SC-propane could be reduced while maintaining higher nitrogen content and CO2 adsorption capacity compared with grafting in toluene refluxing. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.