Importance of small micropores in CO2 capture by phenolic resin-based activated carbon spheres

Abstract

Phenolic resin-based carbon spheres obtained by a slightly modified Stöber method are shown to be superior CO₂ adsorbents. A direct KOH activation of polymeric spheres gave carbons with small micropores (<0.8 nm) and large specific surface area (2400 m² g⁻¹), which are able to adsorb an unprecedented amount of CO₂ (up to 8.9 mmol g⁻¹) at 0 °C and ambient pressure.