Capturing Acidic CO₂ Using Surface-Active Difunctional Core-Shell Composite Polymer Particles via an Aqueous Medium

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Chemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Multifunctional surface-active polymeric composites are essential for adsorbing small molecules.
• Developing efficient adsorbents for carbon dioxide (CO2) is critical for environmental remediation and industrial processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize dual-functionalized, micron-sized, surface-active composite polymer particles for enhanced CO2 adsorption.
• To investigate the structural, surface, and pH-dependent properties of the synthesized composite particles.

Main Methods:

• A three-step synthesis involving dispersion polymerization, seeded copolymerization, and Hofmann degradation.
• Characterization using FTIR, SEM, EDX, BET, BJH, DLS, and ζ-potential measurements.
• Evaluation of CO2 adsorption capacity by bubbling CO2 through an aqueous medium.

Main Results:

• Amine-functionalized composite particles were successfully synthesized with primary amine groups on the surface.
• Characterization confirmed particle morphology, surface composition, porosity, and pH-dependent surface properties.
• The aminated composite particles exhibited a CO2 adsorption capacity of 209 mg/g, significantly higher than reference particles.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized aminated composite polymer particles are effective adsorbents for CO2.
• The dual-functionalization strategy enhances CO2 adsorption performance.
• These materials hold promise for applications in carbon capture technologies.