(182d) Functionalized Polyaniline COMPOSITE PARTICLES for CO2 Sequestration and FERTILIZER Conversion

Abstract This work is to develop low-cost, thermally stable and high CO2 affinity conducting polymers and their association compounds (i.e., dopants) as a ?molecular CO2 reservoir? to not only achieve effective CO2 capture under harsh conditions as in an electric power plant but also convert the sequestered CO2 into useful products such as NH4HCO3 fertilizer in a simple reaction and allow the ?molecular CO2 reservoir? to be re-used in a continuous process.

Novel functionalized polyaniline was synthesized through in-situ polymerization with various dopants and particles. The material composition and CO2 sequestration were investigated through various analytical techniques, such as, X-Ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, TEM, dielectric measurement, UV/vis, Rubotherm high pressure/vacuum absorption, XPS, elemental analysis, and FTIR.

Those composite particles have superior capabilities to sequestrate not only CO2 but also SOx and NOx at low temperatures. Studies were also conducted to demonstrate the conversion of the sequestrated CO2 into fertilizers such as NH4HCO3, NH4HSO4, and NH4NO3 at ambient conditions. The reaction yields, product purity, thermal dynamic and kinetic of the reaction were also investigated. The performance of our materials is better than the best exiting amine-based CO2 sorbent.

The new polyaniline composite particles and associated processing techniques may lead to a low-cost CO2 sequestration process in the industry that can permanently remove CO2 from the emitting sources.

Keywords: Polyaniline, CO2 sequestration, fertilizer conversion.