CO adsorption on activated carbon-supported Cu-based adsorbent prepared by a facile route

Cu-based adsorbents for CO adsorption were efficiently prepared by impregnation activated carbon (AC) with aqueous solution of copper (II) chloride and copper (II) carboxylate. The effects of preparation condition on CO adsorption capacity of the adsorbents were investigated. Characterization of the adsorbents by XRD and N2 adsorption at 77 K showed that cupric salts were completely converted to highly dispersed CuCl on activated carbon after pre-activation, resulting in the stoichiometric adsorption by the coordination of CO with Cu(I). The resulting adsorbents displayed high adsorption selectivity and good adsorption–desorption reversibility for CO with the small adsorption heat, and exhibited broad prospects for the selective separation of CO from mixture gas containing CO2, CH4 and N2 by pressure swing adsorption.

The high CO adsorption selectivity on the Cu-AC adsorbent has promised the effective separation of CO from mixture gas containing CO2, CH4 and N2 by PSA.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ A CuCl/AC adsorbent was prepared by stoichiometrically reaction of copper (II) salts. ▶ Monolayer CuCl was dispersed on activated carbon to capture CO selectively. ▶ The Cu-based adsorbent has the superior adsorption/desorption capability for CO. ▶ The preparation route is suited to industrial manufacture of the adsorbent.