Synthesis and characterization of a plasma carbon aerosol coated sponge for recyclable and efficient separation and adsorption. Issue 15 (30th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, A. J.; Li, X. D.; Yang, J.; Yan, J. H.
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 7:Issue 15(2017)
• Page Start: 9303
• Page End: 9308
• Publication Date: 2017-01-30
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ra26275a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Hydrogen and carbon aerosol are co-generated by rotating gliding arc (RGA) plasma in CH4 direct conversion. The nanostructure carbon aerosol was firstly incorporated with the commercial sponge to fabricate the high selective and hydrophobic adsorption sponge. Abstract : A plasma-generated carbon aerosol, with the merits of high surface area, abundant porosity and high crystallinity, is a mass synthesized by-product from direct methane conversion in the production of syngas or hydrogen. In the present work, a carbon aerosol produced by rotating gliding arc (RGA) plasma was firstly incorporated with a commercial sponge to fabricate a highly selective and hydrophobic adsorption material. The properties of the carbon aerosol and its derived sponge were comprehensively characterized. By a simple dip-coating method, the wettability of the pristine sponge was altered, which was attributed to the plasma coating of the carbon aerosol. The modified sponge demonstrated an effective and selective adsorption ability for a wide range of oils and solvents, with the maximum adsorption capacity of up to 86 times its own weight. Moreover, the used sponge could be easily recovered by simple evaporation or manual squeezing, while maintaining approximately 100% of its starting adsorption capacity over 5 adsorption-recovery cycles. Such a plasma carbon aerosol coated sponge exhibits a great prospect as a cost-efficient, recyclable and scalable material in separation and adsorption for water treatment.