Efficient Synthesis of 2D Mica Nanosheets by Solvothermal and Microwave-Assisted Techniques for CO2 Capture Applications

Abstract

Mica, a commonly occurring mineral, has significant potential for various applications due to its unique structure and properties. However, due to its non-Van Der Waals bonded structure, it is difficult to exfoliate mica into ultrathin nanosheets. In this work, we report a rapid solvothermal microwave synthesis of 2D mica with short reaction time and energy conservation. The resulting exfoliated 2D mica nanosheets (eMica nanosheets) were characterized by various techniques, and their ability to capture CO2 was tested by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Our results showed an 87% increase in CO2 adsorption capacity with eMica nanosheets compared to conventional mica. Further characterization by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as well as first-principles calculations, showed that the high specific surface area and deposited K2CO3 layer contribute to the increased CO2 adsorption on the mica nanosheets. These results speak to the potential of high-quality eMica nanosheets and efficient synthesis processes to open new avenues for new physical properties of 2D materials and the development of CO2 capture technologies.

Mica nanosheets synthesized via liquid Ga embrittlement: demonstrating enhanced CO2 capture

“…34 This K 2 CO 3 layer enhances electron transfer to CO 2 and facilitates further CO 2 adsorption through physisorption. 7 Moreover, the efficiency of many CO 2 capture systems can be affected by contaminants like water vapor or other organic substances. M. Ali et al reported that the presence of organic acids led to a lower trapping potential due to the reduced wettability of CO 2 on the mica surface.…”

“…These 2D mica sheets outperform graphene as an anticorrosive agent. 3 Mica is also used in many other fields, such as cell growth, 4 electron tunneling devices, 5 flexible and transparent devices 6 and CO 2 capture 7 and separation. 8 The present study focuses on muscovite mica (KAl 3 Si 3 O 10 ·(OH) 2 ), whose chemical structure is represented by an octahedral layer of alumina sandwiched between two identical tetrahedral layers of silica, separated by a layer of potassium ions.…”