Petroleum Asphaltene-Based Activated Nanoporous Carbon for CO₂ Capture and H₂ Storage

Abstract

In the present study, we report on how to prepare activated nanoporous carbon materials based on petroleum asphaltenes, readily available and the heaviest component and by-product of crude oil. A thorough characterization of the carbonized nanoporous materials by spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed their synthesis. The nanoporosity of the carbonized materials was displayed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. It was confirmed further by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis showing large surface areas exceeding 2500 and 3000 m2/g. The newly carbonized materials’ architectural rigidity and swelling behavior were tested by the ghost solvent low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) approach. Finally, the gas adsorption capacity of these materials was tested. The porous carbon structures afforded a hydrogen storage capacity of 2.85 wt % at 1 bar, and the highest uptake of CO2 at 1 bar is 28.95 and 19.15 wt % at 0 and 22 °C, respectively. Nanoporous carbonized asphaltenes are promising materials to be applied in various areas as gas-absorbing and CO2-capturing proxies.

Exploring the Gas Sensing Potential of Cross-Linked Asphaltene: A Promising Application of an Affordable Material

“…This work extends the research reported in refs ,,–, aiming to elucidate the properties of asphaltenes further and explore their potential in various applications. Material characterization is conducted to evaluate the different properties of the material.…”

“…The T 2(2) increase is not as pronounced as that in raw asphaltenes without cross-linking in CDCl 3 . As discussed recently, the increase in T 2(2) reflects the swelling ability of the cross-linked asphaltenes in solution . The fraction of cross-linked asphaltenes with a swelling ability is higher in asphaltenes derived from light crude oil.…”

“…The fraction of cross-linked asphaltenes with a swelling ability is higher in asphaltenes derived from light crude oil. The T 2 relaxation values of the cross-linked asphaltenes in solid and solution are longer than those of the carbonized ones . Cross-linked asphaltenes from sample 3 have the highest swelling ability, while the swelling capability of the cross-linked asphaltenes from sample 1 is higher than that of asphaltenes from sample 2.…”

“…The low-field NMR (LF-NMR) silent deuterated solvent approach was utilized to gain insight into the rigidity versus potential swelling behavior of cross-linked asphaltenes. The deuterated solvent acted as the ghost without contributing to the NMR signal. , LF-NMR relaxometry data for the samples were acquired using an Oxford Instruments rock-core NMR scanner model GeoSpec2 operating at a proton resonance frequency of 2.35 MHz and equipped with a 43 mm diameter probe. All of the NMR measurements were recorded at 40 °C.…”

“…Several studies have investigated the utilization of asphaltenes as fillers in polymer composites, sorbents in separation techniques, and surface-active materials in emulsion formation . Furthermore, asphaltenes are considered potential precursor molecules for generating carbon materials and their analogues because of the existence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in their chemical structures. − The porous carbons, such as graphene containing nanocarbons, were obtained from asphaltenes with a large SSA and physical, and chemical stability. The facile carbonization of the low-cost precursor materials makes them ideal for developing novel devices for different applications.…”