Pyrolysis of sulfonic acid substituted benzenes and investigation of CO2 capture capability of resulting carbons

Abstract

Aromatic organic compounds: 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) were used to prepare sulfur doped ultramicropore (pores smaller than 0.7 nm) containing carbons by pyrolysis under Argon atmosphere. SSA derived carbon processed at 1000 degrees C showed the best CO2 (carbon dioxide) adsorption performance. CO2 sorption capacity of SSA1000 is 3.91 mmol g(-1)at 1 bar at 273 K and 2.88 mmol g(-1)at 1 bar at 298 K. Remarkably, at typical flue gas conditions (0.15 bar@298 K) SSA1000 takes up 0.95 mmol g(-1) CO2. SSA1000 possessed good gas sorption properties, recyclability for regeneration, and Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory (IAST)based selectivity of 14.7 (1 bar, CO2/N-2:0.15/0.85). This work shows the possibility of production of ultramicropore containing sulfur and oxygen doped carbons exhibiting high CO2 uptake capability via simple pyrolysis method from molecular precursors.