Effect of activation temperature on CO₂ capture behaviors of resorcinol-based carbon aerogels

In this study, carbon aerogel (CA) was synthesized using a softlate method, and the optimum conditions for the adsorption of carbon dioxide (CO ₂) by the carbon aerogel were evaluated by controlling the activation temperature. KOH was used as the activation agent at a KOH/CA activation ratio of 4:1. Three types of activated CAs were synthesized at activation temperatures of 800°C (CA-K-800), 900°C (CA-K-900), and 1000°C (CA-K-1000), and their surface and pore characteristics along with the CO2 adsorption characteristics were examined. The results showed that with the increase in activation temperature from 800 to 900°C, the total pore volume and specific surface area sharply increased from 1.2165 to 1.2500 cm3/g and 1281 to 1526 m2/g, respectively. However, the values for both these parameters decreased at temperatures above 1000°C. The best CO₂ adsorption capacity of 10.9 wt % was obtained for the CA-K-900 sample at 298 K and 1 bar. This result highlights the importance of the structural and textural characteristics of the carbon aerogel, prepared at different activation temperatures on CO₂ adsorption behaviors.