Synthesis of Size-Tunable CO₂-Philic Imprinted Polymeric Particles (MIPs) for Low-Pressure CO₂ Capture Using Oil-in-Oil Suspension Polymerization

Abstract

Highly selective molecularly imprinted poly[acrylamide-co-(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate)] polymer particles (MIPs) for CO capture were synthesized by suspension polymerization via oil-in-oil emulsion. Creation of CO-philic, amide-decorated cavities in the polymer matrix led to a high affinity to CO. At 0.15 bar CO partial pressure, the CO/N selectivity was 49 (corresponding to 91% purity of the gas stream after regeneration), and reached 97 at ultralow CO partial pressures. The imprinted polymers showed considerably higher CO uptakes compared to their nonimprinted counterparts, and the maximum equilibrium CO capture capacity of 1.1 mmol g was achieved at 273 K. The heat of adsorption was below 32 kJ mol and the temperature of onset of intense thermal degradation was 351-376 °C. An increase in monomer-to-cross-linker molar ratio in the dispersed phase up to 1:2.5 led to a higher affinity toward CO due to higher density of selective amide groups in the polymer network. MIPs are a promising option for industrial packed and fluidized bed CO capture systems due to large particles with a diameter up to 1200 μm and irregular oblong shapes formed due to arrested coalescence during polymerization, occurring as a result of internal elasticity of the partially polymerized semisolid drops.

Eco-Friendly Fabrication of a Highly Selective Amide-Based Polymer for CO2 Capture

“…High CO 2 /N 2 selectivity is associated with an increase in nitrogen content as previously reported. 20,21 Similar results where precursors containing amino group improved the interaction between CO 2 molecules and the pore wall contributed to the improved selectivity have been reported elsewhere. 8,[33][34][38][39][40] The selectivity of HCP-MAAM-2 was found to be 53 at 273 K and dropped to 38 at 298 K. The corresponding purity of CO 2 stream at the two temperatures was 91% and 88% respectively.…”

“…for HCP-MAAM-2C, HCP-MAAM-2 and HCP-MAAM-2D polymers, was found to increase from 4 m 2 g -1 to 142 m 2 g -1 to 277 m 2 g -1 , which can be explained by higher degrees of polymer crosslinking. 20,21,28 29 Polymer matrix with the highest is formed at the threshold porogen level. As the porogen content increases further, phase separation occurs increasingly more quickly and at lower monomer conversions, which leaves more time for the microgel particles to grow and fuse together, resulting in smaller .…”

Dummy Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Using DNP as a Template Molecule for Explosive Sensing and Nitroaromatic Compound Discrimination

“…MIPs acting as artificial receptors have demonstrated their applicability in several fields; among these, we can note the food industry [1,2], environmental monitoring [3,4], clinical diagnosis [5,6] and forensic field [7]. MIPs are perfect candidates to improve the performance of current analytical methods due to their versatility, functionality, and ability to sample pre-concentration [8], separation [9] and/or purification [10]; alternatively, they may be used as a recognition element for the development of different biosensing strategies [11,12] and also in drug delivery [13].…”

Droplet Breakup Dynamics in Bi-Layer Bifurcating Microchannel

“…The droplets can be used as templates to synthesize substances such as microparticles or microcapsules [ 4 , 5 ], which lead to wide range of biomedical, chemical and industrial applications, including consumer and personal care products [ 6 ], ultrasound contrast agents [ 7 ], particle-based display [ 8 , 9 ], food additives [ 10 ], and photonic materials [ 11 , 12 ]. Microparticles and microcapsules can also be extensively used in energy-related applications such as energy storage [ 13 ], gas capture and sensing [ 14 ] as well as carbon dioxide capture and storage [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Emulsions are normally formed by intense shear or mechanical agitation in macroscopic systems.…”