Chemical affinity-assisted H2 isotope separation using Ca-rich onion-peel-derived nanoporous carbon composite. (7th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muhammad, Raeesh; Kim, Suhwan; Park, Jaewoo; Jung, Minji; Lee, Myoung Eun; Chung, Jaewoo; Jang, Haenam; Oh, Hyunchul
• Is Part Of: Materials chemistry frontiers. Volume 5:Number 22(2021)
• Page Start: 8018
• Page End: 8024
• Publication Date: 2021-10-07
• Subjects: Materials science -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/d1qm00894c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-1529

Abstract

Abstract : The current approach of using Ca-rich onion-peel-derived carbon obtained via CO2 physical activation demonstrated hydrogen isotope separation performance better than the conventional cryogenic distillation method. Abstract : Stable isotopes of hydrogen are a prerequisite for many industrial and scientific applications and require their ready supply on a large scale. Herein, we explore the chemical affinity-assisted separation of D2 from a hydrogen isotopic mixture using calcium-rich porous carbon derived from onion peel. A sustainable physical activation using CO2 of onion-peel-derived carbon led to nanoporous carbon formation with a specific surface area of 433 m 2 g −1 and a total pore volume of 0.27 cm 3 g −1 along with a calcium composition of 17 wt% without using any calcium precursor. Calcium increases the chemical affinity of synthesized materials towards D2, evidenced by the observation of a higher uptake for D2 than H2 in gas sorption and thermal desorption spectroscopy studies. Additionally, a promising D2 /H2 selectivity of 5.6 at 40 K and a desorption energy difference of 2.31 kJ mol −1 further support the higher binding strength for D2, which endows its separation from the isotopic mixture. Hence, the current approach of using biowaste provides an environmentally friendly alternative for biowaste management in addition to a promising isotope separation candidate.