Poly(allylamine)–Mesoporous Silica Composite Materials for CO₂ Capture from Simulated Flue Gas or Ambient Air

Low-molecular-weight poly(allylamine) is prepared via free-radical polymerization, and the resulting polymer is impregnated into mesocellular silica foams at different amine loadings. The resulting poly(allylamine)–silica composites are demonstrated as effective adsorbents for the extraction of carbon dioxide from dilute (simulated flue gas) and ultradilute (simulated ambient air) gas streams. The composite adsorbents are shown to have comparable adsorption capacities to more-conventional poly(ethyleneimine)–silica adsorbents. Potential advantages of poly(allylamine)-derived adsorbents are discussed.