Synthesis of silica nanofluid and application to CO2 absorption

This study focused on the synthesis of stable nanofluids and their direct application to the CO2 absorption process. A sol-gel process was used as the synthesis method of nanoparticles in nanofluid. The particle size and stability were determined by SEM image and zeta potential of the nanofluid. Three types of nanofluids containing approximately 30 nm, 70 nm, and 120 nm particles were synthesized and all nanofluids had a stable zeta potential of approximately-45 mV. Addition of nanoparticles increased the average absorption rate of 76% during the first 1 minute and total absorption amount of 24% in water. The capacity coefficient of CO2 absorption in the nanofluid is 4 times higher than water without nanoparticles, because the small bubble sizes in the nanofluid have large mass transfer areas and high solubility.