Preparation and CO₂ capture properties of nanocrystalline Li₂ZrO₃ via an epoxide-mediated sol–gel process

Nanocrystalline lithium zirconate (Li₂ZrO₃) was successfully prepared by an epoxide-mediated sol–gel process. The compositions and morphologies of Li₂ZrO₃ were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the CO₂ capture-regeneration properties of Li₂ZrO₃ were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The introduction of propylene oxide as an acid scavenger increases the pH value of the system to mediate the sol–gel transition. The as-dried xerogel is amorphous and the nano-sized Li₂ZrO₃ crystallites with a tetragonal phase precipitate after heat-treatment at 650 °C. The nanocrystalline tetragonal-Li₂ZrO₃ exhibits a better CO₂ capture properties, possessing an adsorption capacity as high as 21 wt.% at 550 °C and a good stability confirmed by CO₂ capture-regeneration cycles.

Nanocrystalline Li₂ZrO₃ possessing good CO₂ capture properties was successfully prepared by an epoxide-mediated sol–gel process.