Synthesis of Carbon Capture Materials Based on Meso-cellular Foams and Polyethyleneimine Polymers via Sonication

Abstract:

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) has been shown to be a promising material for Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide and has therefore generated great interest in the sustainability community. Laboratory scale processes include several steps, including mixing, solvent extraction, vacuum application, sonication and various flushes and activation steps. In addition, the efficiency of carbon capture appears dependent on material configuration attributes that have never been optimized. Building upon proven fabrication methods it is observed that sonication process has a significant impact on formation of the pore network and polymer architecture. This study explores to resolve and optimize the fabrication process using appropriate ultrasonic energies. Results show that the material architecture is very sensitive to process variations, as is resultant performance, in terms of carbon capture. The parallel emphasis is on reducing the currently lengthy pellet production process that spans approximately 14 days to a more practical time frame of several hours. If this can be done, systems that may be implemented at a reasonable industrial scale may become feasible.