Effect of Activation Temperature on CO2 Capture Behaviors of Resorcinol-based Carbon Aerogels

In this study, carbon aerogel (CA) was synthesized using a soft-template 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 $800^{\circ}C$(CA-K-800), $900^{\circ}C$(CA-K-900), and $1000^{\circ}C$(CA-K-1000), and their surface and pore characteristics along with the $CO_2$ adsorption characteristics were examined. The results showed that with the increase in activation temperature from 800 to $900^{\circ}C$, the total pore volume and specific surface area sharply increased from 1.2165 to $1.2500cm^3/g$ and 1281 to $1526m^2/g$, respectively. However, the values for both these parameters decreased at temperatures above $1000^{\circ}C$. The best $CO_2$ 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 $CO_2$ adsorption behaviors.