Modification of activated carbon by MIL-53(Al) MOF to develop a composite framework adsorbent for CO capturing.

In this research, a novel composite is synthesized based on activated carbon and MIL-53(Al) through the solution mixing method at different MOF weight fractions, and the CO loading of prepared samples are measured in the batch and continuous apparatus. The structure, crystallinity, surface area, and chemical functionality of activated carbon, MIL-53(Al), and developed composite are characterized through BET, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The CO and N adsorption capacity of activated carbon, MIL-53(Al), and composites are examined in an isothermal batch reactor at the pressure range 0-110 kPa and equilibrium temperature 305 K. The adsorption isotherm of CO is correlated by the Langmuir and Toth models. Besides, the performance of composite is compared with MIL-53(Al) and activated carbon in a continuous packed bed at flow rate range 15-25 ml min and temperature 32 °C, and the breakthrough curves are developed. The results show that increasing MOF content in the composite increases CO adsorption capacity, so the CO loading of synthesized composite containing 10%, 20%, and 30% MOF is 1.608, 1.704, and 1.792 mmol gr, respectively.