Development of efficient CO2 adsorbents: Synthesis and performance evaluation of dopamine-modified halloysite nanotubes loaded with ZIF-8

• Published in: Separation and purification technology 2025-05, Vol.357, p.130179, Article 130179
• Main Authors: Meng, Shuqian, Ju, Xiaoqian, Wang, Jingwen, Cui, Baolu, Liu, Yuxi, Ma, Haosheng, Wang, Dechao, Yang, Zhiyuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CO2 selective capture; Halloysite nanotube; Polydopamine; ZIF-8
• ISSN: 1383-5866
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.130179

PHNT@ZIF-8 Preparation Process and CO2 Adsorption Mechanism Diagram. [Display omitted] •Novel “corncob-like” PHNT@ZIF-8 composites were synthesized by an in-situ growth.•PHNT@ZIF-8 composites reduced the dispersion of nanoparticles.•PHNT@ZIF-8 composites showed enhanced CO2 capacity.•This method provides a new idea for developing new adsorbents and reducing costs. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is a crucial technology for achieving carbon reduction targets. The key to CCUS technology lies in developing and designing efficient and low-cost CO2 capture materials. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising CO2 adsorbents in the field of carbon capture. However, high agglomeration of nanoparticles and high cost have severely hindered the application of MOF-based solid adsorbents. This study employs an in-situ growth method to prepare a novel “corncob-shaped” PHNT@ZIF-8 composite material. During the reaction process, surface modification of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) enhances the interaction between HNT and ZIF-8. The resulting PHNT@ZIF-8 exhibits an enhanced CO2 adsorption capacity of 1.48 mmol/g. Notably, the functionalized PHNT@ZIF-8 as CO2 adsorbents demonstrated significant adsorption properties: a high specific surface area of 409.74 m2/g, good selectivity in simulated flue gas composition of 15%/85% (CO2/N2) (39.1), excellent thermal stability, and superior regenerability. Moreover, PHNT@ZIF-8 adsorbs CO2 primarily through van der Waals forces, which involve low energy and are easily reversible. After eight adsorption–desorption cycles, CO2 capacity retention rate remains as high as 93% (1.37 mmol/g). This work enriches the repertoire of solid CO2 composite adsorbents, providing a novel pathway for enhancing CO2 adsorption performance.