Effect of nano-silica spheres template on CO₂ capture of exchange resin-based nanoporous carbons

In this work, a nanoporous carbon-based adsorbent with a higher specific surface area was directly prepared from polystyrene-based cation exchange resin (PCER) by carbonization of a mixture of nano-silica spheres. The silica/PCER composites were carbonized at 1173 K with different silica/ PCER ratios. The effects of nano-silica spheres content on the pore structures of nanoporous carbons were investigated by N₂ full isotherms. The CO₂ capture capacity was measured by CO₂ isothermal adsorption at 298 K and 1 bar. From the results, it was found that the nano-silica spheres/PCER ratio had a major influence on the CO₂ capture capacity and the textural properties of the prepared nanoporous carbons. The specific surface area and total pore volume, as well as the pore size of the nanoporous carbons increased with increasing silica/PCER ratio.