Structural properties of aminosilica materials for CO₂ capture

Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are now widely attributed as a leading cause for global climate change. As such, research efforts into the capture and sequestration of CO2 from large point sources (flue gas capture) as well as the ambient atmosphere (air capture) are gaining increased popularity and importance. Supported amine materials have emerged as a promising class of materials for these applications. However, more fundamental research is needed before these materials can be used in a practically relevant process. The following areas are considered critical research needs for these materials: (i) process design, (ii) material stability, (iii) kinetics of adsorption and desorption, (iv) improved sorbent adsorption efficiency and (v) understanding the effects of water on sorbent adsorption behavior. The aim of the studies presented in this thesis is to further the scientific community’s understanding of supported amine adsorbents with respect to stability, adsorption efficiency and adsorption behavior with water.Ph.D