OPTIMIZATION OF SURFACE TREATMENT AND FUNCTIONALIZATION OF MULTIWALLED CARBON NANOTUBES (MWCNT) FOR CARBON DIOXIDE (C02) ADSORPTION

The unique characteristics of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) such as
high porosity, high surface area and the existence of surface functional groups
through chemical modification makes it a suitable material for adsorption of carbon
dioxide (CO2). However, due to its hydrophobicity and the bundling issues, MWCNT
could not function as an effective adsorbent. Thus treatment on MWCNT is required
to overcome these problems before it could be functionalized with the amine group
that will assist MWCNT adsorbing C02. The objective of the work is to optimize the
surface treatment and functionalization of MWCNT with 3-Aminopropyl
triethoxysilane (APTS) for enhanced adsorption of carbon dioxide. Three types of
acids were used for surface treatment namely sulfuric acid (H2SO4), nitric acid
(HNO3), and the mixture of sulfuric and nitric acid (HNO3/H2SO4).