Enhanced CO2adsorption of activated carbon with simultaneous surface etching and functionalization by nitrogen plasma treatment

Removing CO2gas to address the global climate crisis is one of the most urgent agendas. To improve the CO2adsorption ability of activated carbon, nitrogen plasma surface treatment was conducted. The effect of nitrogen plasma treatment on the surface chemistry and pore geometry of activated carbon was extensively analyzed. The porosity and surface groups of the activated carbon varied with the plasma treatment time. By plasma treatment for a few minutes, the microporosity and surface functionality could be simultaneously controlled. The changed microporosity and nitrogen groups affected the CO2adsorption capacity and CO2adsorption selectivity over N2. This simultaneous surface etching and functionalization effect could be achieved with a short operating time and low energy consumption.