Graft copolymer templated synthesis of mesoporous MgO/TiO2 mixed oxide nanoparticles and their CO2 adsorption capacities

Abstract

Mesoporous mixed oxide nanoparticles consisting of MgO and TiO2 were synthesized via a sot-gel process by templating poly(vinyl chloride)-g-poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (PVC-g-POEM) graft copolymer. The mesoporous structures and morphologies of the MgO/TiO2 mixed oxides were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis. Interestingly, MgO/TiO2 mixed oxide exhibited much higher CO2 adsorption capacity (0.477 mol CO2/kg sorbent for 40:60 MgO/TiO2) than pure MgO (0.074) or TiO2 (0.063). This result arises from the increase in surface area and pore volume of the mixed oxide due to the formation of bimodal pores. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.