Activated carbons prepared from hydrothermally carbonized waste biomass used as adsorbents for CO2

Activated carbons prepared from hydrothermally carbonized (HTC) waste biomass were studied with respect to the adsorption of carbon dioxide. The physically activated carbons (PAC) exhibited a large adsorption of CO2 of 1.45 mmol/g at a small partial pressure of CO2 (10 kPa and a temperature of 0 °C). These PACs were prepared by activation in a stream of CO2 and had significant amounts of ultramicropores, which were established by analyzing the adsorption of CO2 with a density functional theory. The uptake at such low pressures of CO2 is of most importance for an adsorption-driven CO2 capture from flue gas at large power stations, as it is difficult to imagine a pressurization of the flue gas. The capacities to adsorb CO2 of the different activated carbons were compared with both the micropore volumes as established by N2 adsorption, and the ultramicropore volumes as established by CO2 adsorption. The ultramicropore volume is of crucial importance for the capture of CO2 from flue gas. PAC from HTC grass cuttings and from horse manure had the largest ultramicropore volumes. In general, the PAC showed excellent cyclability of adsorption/desorption of CO2 and a minimal capacity loss after subsequent cycles. In addition, the PAC showed a rapid adsorption of CO2. Both characteristics are essential for the eventual use of such PACs in the adsorption driven separation of CO2 from flue gas. A chemically activated carbon (CAC) was prepared by treating hydrothermally carbonized beer waste with H3PO4 and a heat treatment in a flow of N2. This CAC showed a significant amount of mesopores in the range of 5 nm, in addition to micropores. The apparent selectivity for the activated carbons for CO2-over-N2 adsorption was determined at 0 °C and 10 kPa.

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► Hydrothermally carbonized biomass were used to produce activated carbons.
► Physical activation with CO2 were compared with chemical activation with H3PO4.
► The activated carbons had small pores and displayed a high capacity to adsorb CO2.
► The activated carbons adsorbed CO2 rapidly and had excellent cyclability.
► A chemically activated carbon showed a high CO2-over-N2 selectivity.