Synthesis of functionalized 3D microporous carbon foams for selective CO2 capture

Abstract Porous carbon materials have been considered as the promising media for post combustion CO2 capture. Development and design of cost-effective carbons with high adsorption capacity and selectivity of CO2 over other gases at low CO2 partial pressures has attracted increasing attention. In this study, a category of functionalized 3D microporous carbon foam was prepared by using inexpensive and commercially available polyisocyanurate foam (PIR) as the precursor via a facile one-step chemical activation process. The porous structure and surface chemistry of the carbon foams can be tailored by adjusting the activation temperature and KOH/PIR mass ratio. At 25 ℃ and a CO2 partial pressure of 0.15 bar, the carbon foam of FC7001 with highest volume of fine micropores (