Adsorption of carbon dioxide with nanofibers based on alginate/polyethylene oxide/triton X-100

Penulis: Faryda Veronica Lamma Koly

Nanofiber is a material composed of nanometer-scale fibers with carbon or polymer base materials. The most economical method of nanofibers synthesis is electrospinning. Nanofiber has a high potential for CO2 adsorption because it has high gas transport resistance and high kinetic [1]. Research on synthesis of Alginate/Polyethylene oxide/Triton X-100 nanofibers (Alg/PEO/TX NFs) by electrospinning for CO2 adsorption was carried out. The purpose of this research were to study the effect of adding PEO and TX to the electrospinnability of the solution, and the effect of the gas flow rate and contact time on adsorption capacity of Alg/PEO/TX NFs. Polymer solutions were characterized by the conductivity meter and tensiometer, while the nanofibers were analyzed using optical microscopy, SEM, and FTIR. The study of CO2 contact time includes the effect of flow rate and CO2 contact time on nanofiber. The results showed that Alg/PEO/TX NFs were successfully synthesized with a volume ratio 1/2 of Alg/PEO blends solutions and a small addition of 0.5% (v/v) TX. The beads-free nanofibers produced was 201 ± 48 nm in diameter and with a surface area of 34,963 m2.g-1. The optimum adsorption capacity was 12,398 mmol.g-1, which was obtained at the flow rate of 10 mL.minute-1 and a contact time of 25 minutes.