Synthesis of mesoporous materials SBA-15 and CMK-3 from fly ash and their application for CO2 adsorption

A supernatant solution of silicate species extracted from coal fly ash in a power plant by alkali fusion was used in acidic condition to prepare a mesoporous silica SBA-15. The SBA-15 was used as a template for the synthesis of a mesoporous carbon CMK-3 using sucrose as a carbon source. Characterization of the produced mesoporous materials by XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM, and TEM confirmed the formation of well-ordered hexagonal mesostructures. Textural properties were found close to those prepared by pure chemicals. SBA-15 after polyethyleneimine impregnation and CMK-3 were tested for carbon dioxide adsorption, successfully demonstrating the possibility of recycling the industrial waste product in a power plant into a useful adsorbent.