Amine-functionalized natural zeolites prepared through plasma polymerization for enhanced carbon dioxide adsorption

Solution-based amine absorption technologies have been widely applied for CO2 capture, but they have several drawbacks. This paper reports on the synthesis of the first solid-state amine adsorbent prepared through a simple plasma polymerization and deposition on physicochemically modified natural mordenite-clinoptilolite zeolite. The plasma deposition of amine polymer under certain conditions resulted in a significant increase in surface area-weighted CO2 adsorption capacity as the natural zeolite. The strength of the interaction between CO2 and the adsorbent was weaker for the plasma polymer-modified zeolite than without the plasma coating, which may facilitate regeneration. Both indications make the amine plasma polymer-based zeolite adsorbent a good candidate for CO2 adsorption and separation.