Amine grafted cellulose aerogel for CO₂ capture

A cellulose aerogel (CA) was fabricated by a phase inversion induced sol-gel process along with supercritical drying. An amine grafted cellulose aerogel (AGCA) was prepared by grafting 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) onto the framework of the cellulose gel. The morphology, microstructure, pore structure and elemental composition of the CA and AGCA were characterized. Both CA and AGCA exhibited highly porous network consisting of fibrous network and nanopores. APTES grafting leaded to the blockage of the pore space of the CA and generated more nanopores. The specific surface area and pore volume of the AGCA is higher than those of the CA owing to the APTES grafting. The AGCA achieved a CO₂ adsorption capacity of 1.20 mmol/g