Porous materials are particularly suitable in gas separation and sorption processes, e.g. CO2 removal, O2 purification, etc. The mechanisms behind these processes are dictated by the interplay of several factors (e.g. chemical composition of the porous framework, guest species into the pores, applied temperature conditions, etc.), the rationalization of which is often not straightforward. This project focused on the investigation of sorption properties of natural materials, i.e. framework aluminosilicate, previously modified by ion-exchange. The aim is to track the effect of the i) temperature and ii) composition of the counter-cations on the sorption capacity with respect CO2. The student will mostly apply X-ray diffraction techniques under variable temperature and humidity conditions. When necessary, the experimental results will be coupled with theoretical calculations based on Density Functional Theory.
Advisors: PD Dr. Georgia Cametti
Specialities: EM
University: BE