Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.

Adavanced Fuel Research, Inc.

Marek A Wójtowicz

Michael A Serio

Joseph E Cosgrove

Eric P Rubenstein

Andrew E Carlson

High purity carbon sorbent monoliths, particularly effective for the removal of trace-contaminants such as ammonia, formaldehyde, and methyl mercaptan from a gas flow, are fabricated by 3D-printing polymer monoliths, pre-oxidizing them in a flow of air at a temperature below the melting point of the polymer precursor, carbonizing them, and subsequently activating them to a weight loss of about 20 percent. The pre-oxidation step effectively prevents polymer-monolith swelling and melting during carbonization.

Polymer-monolith pre-oxidation to improve shape retention during subsequent heat treatment, and monolith produced

High purity carbon sorbent monoliths that are particularly effective for the adsorption and subsequent desorption of trace-contaminants, such as ammonia, are produced by 3D-printing polymer monoliths, carbonizing them, and subsequently activating them to produce an effective amount of at least one type of oxygen species on exposed carbon surfaces. The high purity carbon sorbent monoliths are vacuum-regenerable on a time scale of a few minutes.

Monolithic trace-contaminant sorbents fabricated from 3D-printed polymer precursors

A sorbent that is particularly effective for the efficient adsorption and subsequent desorption of ammonia is produced from a high-purity carbon material which is exposed to an oxidizing environment so as to produce an effective amount of at least one oxygen species on its exposed surfaces. The high purity carbon material may be produced by carbonizing a polymer material, and the sorbent may comprise a support having an open-cell, three dimensional, lattice-like structure.

Carbon sorbent for reversible ammonia sorption

High-strength porous carbon and a method of its manufacture are described for multifunctional applications, such as ballistic protection, structural components, ultracapacitor electrodes, gas storage, and radiation shielding. The carbon is produced from a polymer precursor via carbonization, and optionally by surface activation and post-treatment.

High-strength porous carbon and its multifunctional applications

The method enables control over carbon pore structure to provide sorbents that are particularly advantageous for the adsorption of specific gases. It involves preparation of a sorbent precursor material, carbonization of the precursor material, and, usually, activation of the carbonized material. The resultant material is subjected to heat treatment and/or to surface conditioning by a reducing gas at elevated temperatures.

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East Hartford, CT, United States of America

Marek A Wójtowicz