PNNL

Abstract

The sustainable goal of net zero emissions demands a carbon dioxide (CO2) abatement. With the idea of ‘waste to energy’, this study proposes upcycling waste floral foam into nanoporous carbon that efficiently captures CO2. This study proposes improved methods for the production of high-performance nanoporous carbon derived from floral foam in combination with KOH activation. Initially, pristine nanoporous carbon was produced from waste floral foam using various KOH impregnation ratios. One specific ratio (1:2) with heat treatment advanced through single and dual atom doping (N-doping and N, S-codoping) and achieved optimal CO2 capture capability. The doping of N and co-doping of N, S atoms into the nanoporous carbon altered its textural and surface chemical properties, making them efficient for CO2 capture. Comparative CO2 capture studies of pristine nanoporous carbon (NC-x), N-doped nanoporous carbon (N-NC2), and N, S-co-doped nanoporous carbon (N,S-NC2) demonstrate the superiority of N-doping. N-doped nanoporous carbon exhibited the largest ultra-microporosity (0.3100 cm3/g, 63.43 %) and highest heteroatom content (34.94 atomic %), contributing to its enhanced CO2 capture capability (4.54 mmol/g). This research lays the groundwork for strategizing methods for developing inexpensive, enviro-friendly nanoporous carbon materials using “waste-to-enrgy” methodology for materials with superior CO2 capture characteristics.