Monte Carlo Simulation and Experimental Studies of CO2, CH4 and Their Mixture Capture in Porous Carbons

Adsorption of carbon dioxide and methane in porous activated carbon and carbon nanotube was studied experimentally and by Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation. A gravimetric analyzer was used to obtain the experimental data, while in the simulation we used graphitic slit pores of various pore size to model activated carbon and a bundle of graphitic cylinders arranged hexagonally to model carbon nanotube. Carbon dioxide was modeled as a 3-center-Lennard-Jones (LJ) molecule with three fixed partial charges, while methane was modeled as a single LJ molecule. We have shown that the behavior of adsorption for both activated carbon and carbon nanotube is sensitive to pore width and the crossing of isotherms is observed because of the molecular packing, which favors commensurate packing for some pore sizes. Using the adsorption data of pure methane or carbon dioxide on activated carbon, we derived its pore size distribution (PSD), which was found to be in good agreement with the PSD obtained from the analysis of nitrogen adsorption data at 77 K. This derived PSD was used to describe isotherms at other temperatures as well as isotherms of mixture of carbon dioxide and methane in activated carbon and carbon nanotube at 273 and 300 K. Good agreement between the computed and experimental isotherm data was observed, thus justifying the use of a simple adsorption model.     

密度泛函与分子模拟计算介孔孔径分布比较

用巨正则系综Monte Carlo模拟(GCMC)方法和密度泛函理论（ DFT）结合统计积分方程（SIE）计算了介孔材料的孔径分布.为比较这两种方法,以77 K氮气在介孔活性碳微球中的吸附数据为依据,求出其孔径分布.在GCMC模拟和DFT计算中,流体分子模型化为单点的Lerrnard-Jones球;流体分子与吸附剂材料之间的作用采用平均场理论中的10-4-3模型.在DFT方法中,自由能采用Tarazona 提出的加权近似密度泛函方法(weighted density approximation,WDA)求解.结果表明,对于孔径大于1.125 nm的介孔材料,GCMC和DFT两种方法都可以用来研究介孔材料的孔径分布;对于小于1.125 nm的介孔材料,不能用DFT方法计算孔径分布（DFT方法本身的近似产生了误差）,只能用分子模拟方法.     

用实验和模拟计算确定SiO2空心微球的孔径分布

用巨正则系综蒙特卡罗（GCMC）模拟方法结合统计积分方程（SIE）计算了SiO2空心微球球壳上的孔径分布（PSD）.HRTEM、XRD及氮气吸附等实验测试表明,SiO2空心微球的球壳上有无序的介孔孔道.在模拟中,基于实验数据,将SiO2空心微球模型化为具有一定孔径分布的园柱孔,流体模型化为Lennard-Jones(LJ)球,流体分子和孔壁间的相互作用采用Wang等人[10]最近提出的完全解析的势函数描述.模拟结果显示,用孔径分布拟合的吸附数据和实验吸附等温线吻合良好,说明PSD能够十分有效地表示SiO2空心微球的微孔结构.     

Monte carlo simulation and pore-size distribution analysis of the isosteric heat of adsorption of methane in activated carbon

The isosteric heat of adsorption of methane in an activated carbon adsorbent has been modeled by Monte Carlo simulation, using a pore-size distribution (PSD) to relate simulation results for pores of different sizes to the experimental adsorbent. Excellent fits were obtained between experimental and simulated isosteric heats of adsorption of methane in BPL activated carbon. The PSD was then used to predict the adsorption of methane and ethane in the same carbon adsorbent, with good results. The PSD derived from isosteric heat data was shown to be richer in information than PSDs obtained by the more conventional method of fitting to isotherm data.     

Grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation for determination of optimum parameters for adsorption of supercritical methane in pillared layered pores

A grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method is carried out to determine optimum adsorptive storage pressures of supercritical methane in pillared layered pores. In the simulation, the pillared layered pore is modeled by a uniform distribution of pillars between two solid walls. Methane is described as a spherical Lennard-Jones molecule, and Steele's 10-4-3 potential is used for representing the interaction between the fluid and a layered wall. The site-site interaction is also used for calculating the interaction energy between methane molecules and pillars. An effective potential model that reflects the characteristics of a real pillared layered material is proposed here. In the model, a binary interaction parameter, k(fw), is introduced into the combining rule for the cross-energy parameter for the interaction between the fluid and a layered wall. Based on the experimental results for the Zr-pillared material synthesized and characterized by Boksh, Kikkinides, and Yang, the binary interaction parameter, k(fw), is determined by fitting the simulation results to the experimental adsorption data of nitrogen at 77 K. Then, by taking it as a model of pillared layered material, a series of GCMC simulations have been carried out. The excess adsorption isotherms of methane in a pillared layered pore with three different pore widths and porosities are obtained at three supercritical temperatures T=207.3, 237.0, and 266.6 K. Based on the simulation results at different porosities, various pore widths and different supercritical temperatures, the pillared layered pore with porosity psi=0.94 and pore width hsigma(p)=1.02 nm is recommended as adsorption storage material of supercritical methane. Moreover, the optimum adsorption pressure is determined at a given temperature and a fixed width of the pillared layered pore. For example, at temperature T=207.3 K, the optimum adsorption pressures are 3.1, 3.7, and 4.5 M Pa at H=1.02, 1.70, and 2.38 nm, respectively. In summary, the GCMC method is a useful tool for optimizing adsorption storage of supercritical methane in pillared layered material.     

超临界甲烷在氯化锆层柱纳米材料中吸附的分子模拟

用巨正则MonteCarlo(GCMC)方法模拟了甲烷在氯化锆层柱材料中的吸附。模拟中,氯化锆层柱材料模型化为柱子均匀分布在层板间的层柱孔,非极性分子甲烷采用Lennard-Jones分子模型,层板墙采用Steele的10-4-3模型,流体分子与柱子的相互作用采用点-点(sitetosite)的方法计算。在高度理想化模型的基础上,引入交互作用参数kfw,建立了有效势能模型。通过实验数据确定交互作用参数kfw,从而使该模型能有效地表征流体与层板墙的相互作用。根据77K温度下氮气的实验吸附数据,确定了流体和层板墙间的交互相作用参数。然后用这个有效的参数kfw=0.65模拟了三个超临界温度下氯化锆层柱材料中甲烷的吸附情形,得到了它位的吸附等温线,局部密度分布以有流体分子在层柱微孔中的瞬时构象,并分析了温度对材料吸附性能的影响。结果表明GCMC方法是预测材料吸附性能的一种强有力的工具。     

甲烷在层状石墨烯和活性炭上的吸附平衡

以吸附式天然气（ANG）吸附剂的工程应用为目的,以0-10 MPa、283.15-303.15 K甲烷在层状石墨烯（GS（3D）,比表面积2062 m²/g）和活性炭SAC-01（比表面积1507 m²/g）上的吸附平衡数据作分析。首先,在77.15 K下由氮气吸附表征样品的孔径大小及分布（PSD）和比表面积。其次,选择极低压力下的吸附平衡数据标定亨利定律常数,确定甲烷在两吸附剂上的极限吸附热,并由维里方程和10-4-3势能函数计算甲烷与两吸附剂壁面之间的相互作用势。最后,依据测试的甲烷在吸附剂上的高压吸附平衡数据,比较了Langmuir系列方程的关联数据后的拟合精度,并由绝对吸附量计算了甲烷的等量吸附热。结果表明,甲烷在GS（3D）和活性炭SAC-01上的平均极限吸附热为23.07、20.67 kJ/mol;283.15 K下甲烷分子与GS（3D）和活性炭SAC-01之间的交互作用势ε_sf/k为67.19、64.23 K,与洛伦混合法则的计算值64.60 K相近;Toth方程关联甲烷在活性炭SAC-01和GS（3D）上吸附平衡数据的拟合累计相对误差为0.25%和2.29%;甲烷在活性炭SAC-01和GS（3D）上的等量吸附热平均值为16.8和18.3 kJ/mol。相对于活性炭SAC-01,比表面积和微孔容积均较高的GS（3D）对甲烷的吸附更具有优势。     

Explanation of the unusual peak of calorimetric heat in the adsorption of nitrogen, argon and methane on graphitized thermal carbon black

Heats of adsorption and adsorption isotherms of argon, nitrogen and methane on a perfect graphitic surface and a defective graphitic surface are studied with a Grand Canonical Monte Carlo Simulation (GCMC). For the perfect surface, the isosteric heat versus loading shows a typical pattern of adsorption of simple fluids on graphite. Depending on adsorbate, degree of graphitization and temperature, a spike in the heat curve versus loading is observed when the first layer is mostly covered with adsorbate molecules. The heat spike is observed for argon and nitrogen at 77 K while for argon at 87.3 K it is no longer present. These simulation results are consistent with the experimental data of J. Rouquerol, S. Partyka and F. Rouquerol, J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 1, 1977, 73, 306. In the case of methane we observe heat spikes at low temperatures, 84.5, 92.5 and 104 K. The heat spike shifts to higher loading with temperature and it then disappears at high temperatures. These observations are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data of A. Inaba, Y. Koga and J. A. Morrison, J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 2, 1986, 82, 1635. In all cases where heat spikes are observed, the GCMC simulation results indicate that the heat spike is associated with the squeezing of molecules into the already dense first layer, and the rearrangement of molecules to form a highly structured fluid of this layer. While this squeezing into the first layer is happening, molecules continue to adsorb onto the relatively sparse second layer.     

超临界甲烷在活性炭上的吸附平衡分析

为分析由吸附平衡时的热力参数确定吸附量、吸附模型和等量吸附热精度的影响因素,选择在温度268.15~338.15 K和压力0~13.5 MPa测试的甲烷在Ajax活性炭上的吸附平衡数据,通过引入甲烷分子可进入活性炭吸附空间内的容积和可以不考虑甲烷在孔内吸附的临界孔宽的概念,依据甲烷在吸附平衡前后的总量守恒,确定甲烷在吸附池内的总量、绝对吸附量和过剩吸附量三者之间的关系式。结果表明,在引入吸附质分子可进入吸附空间内的容积和临界孔宽后,经由活性炭的孔径分布(PSD),可以准确计算甲烷在活性炭上的过剩吸附量;应用实验数据非线性回归Toth方程参数后,可由Gibbs关于吸附的定义确定甲烷在活性炭上的绝对吸附量。比较结果时发现,由于未考虑本体相中甲烷分子对吸附甲烷分子的影响,采用过剩吸附量的等量吸附线标绘确定的等量吸附热数值偏高,工程应用时应由绝对吸附量来确定等量吸附热。     

Molecular simulation of adsorption and separation of mixtures of short linear alkanes in pillared layered materials at ambient temperature

Grand canonical Monte Carlo and configurational-bias Monte Carlo techniques are carried out to simulate the adsorption of ternary and quaternary mixtures of short linear alkanes, involving methane, ethane, propane, and n-butane, in pillared layered materials at ambient temperature, T=300 K. In the simulation, a pillared layered pore is modeled by a uniform distribution of pillars between two layered walls built by making two separate talc lamellas parallel each other with a given size of interlayer distance. The interaction between fluid molecules and two layered walls is measured by storing potentials calculated in advance at a series of grid points. The interaction between fluid molecules and pillars is also calculated by a site-to-site method. The potential model proposed in this work is proved to be effective because of the simulation result being good agreement with the experimental data for the adsorption of nitrogen at 77 K. Then, the adsorption isotherms of mixtures of short linear alkanes in pillared layered pores with three different porosities psi=0.98, 0.93 and 0.85, and three pore widths H=1.02, 1.70 and 2.38 nm at 300 K are obtained by taking advantage of the model. The simulation results tell us that the longer chain component is preferentially adsorbed at low pressures, and its adsorption increases and then decreases as the pressure increases while the shorter chain component is still adsorbed at high pressures. Moreover, the sorption selectivity of pillared layered materials for the longest chain component in alkane mixtures increases as the mole fraction of methane in the gas phase increases. The selectivity of pillared layered materials for the longest chain component in alkane mixtures also increases as the pore width decreases and the porosity increases.     

一氧化碳共吸附法确定叔丁胺分子在Cu(111)表面的吸附位

采用扫描隧道显微镜(STM)和密度泛函理论(DFT)研究了78 K时单个叔丁胺分子在Cu(111)表面的吸附位. 我们提出以共吸附的一氧化碳√3 ×√3 超结构为基底铜原子的标识方法, 确定了低覆盖度的叔丁胺分子在Cu(111)表面的吸附位为顶位. 而采用单个一氧化碳分子标识基底铜原子的位置, 同样得出了叔丁胺分子的吸附位为顶位. 此外, 还采用DFT计算叔丁胺分子在Cu(111)表面的优势吸附构型. 理论计算结果表明顶位吸附构型为能量最稳定的构型, 与实验结果相吻合.     

Porous structure of natural and modified clinoptilolites

The evaluation of the pore-size distribution (PSD) of natural and modified mesoporous zeolites, i.e., clinoptilolites is presented. We demonstrate the SEM results showing that the pores of fracture-type from 25-50 nm to 100 nm in size between clinoptilolite grains, as well as pores between crystal aggregates up to 500 nm in size are present in the studied material. The detailed distribution of pore sizes and tortuosity factor of the above-mentioned materials are determined from the adsorption-desorption isotherms of nitrogen measured volumetrically at 77 K. To obtain the reliable pore size distribution (PSD) of the above-mentioned materials both adsorption and desorption branches of the experimental hysteresis loop are described simultaneously by recently developed corrugated pore structure model (CPSM) of Androutsopoulos and Salmas. Evaluated pore size distributions are characterized by well-defined smooth peaks placed in the region of the mesoporosity. Moreover, the mean pore diameter calculated from the classical static measurement of nitrogen adsorption at 77 K correspond very well to the pore diameters from SEM, showing the applicability of the CPSM for characterization of the porosity of natural zeolites. We conclude that classical static adsorption measurements combined with the proper modeling of the capillary condensation/evaporation phenomena are a powerful method which can be applied for pore structure characterization of natural and modified clinoptilolites.     

层柱粘土吸附甲烷的模拟和参数优化研究

用巨正则系综Monte Carlo方法(GCMC)来模拟ZrO₂柱撑粘土对天然气主要成分甲烷的吸附. 为了更好地反映甲烷与层柱粘土无机层板的相互作用, 对墙势模型中的尺寸参数σ_fw和能量参数ε_fw取值进行了优化. 我们系统地改变甲烷在蒙脱土晶体结构中的位置, 建立起一系列甲烷与层板相互作用的Lennard-Jones势能曲线, 通过最小二乘法拟合这些Lennard-Jones势能曲线得到一系列的σ_fw和ε_fw值, 利用拟合得到的σ_fw和ε_fw算术平均值作为墙势模型中两个交互作用参数的取值进行分子模拟, 模拟结果与文献实验值符合较好. 在此基础上, 进一步模拟了3种不同孔率, 层间距为0.64 nm的ZrO₂柱撑粘土(ZPC)在245 K下对临界态甲烷的吸附, 发现 3～4 MPa是ZPC材料吸附甲烷较适合的压力范围, 而且孔率大的ZPC有利于甲烷的吸附.     

Gas adsorption process in activated carbon over a wide temperature range above the critical point. Part 1: modified Dubinin-Astakhov model

Simulations of the thermal effects during adsorption cycles are valuable tools for the design of efficient adsorption-based systems such as gas storage, gas separation and adsorption-based heat pumps. An analytical representation of the measured adsorption data over the wide operating pressure and temperature swing of the system is necessary for the calculation of complete mass and energy conservation equations. In Part 1, the Dubinin-Astakhov (D-A) model is adapted to model hydrogen, nitrogen, and methane adsorption isotherms on activated carbon at high pressures and supercritical temperatures assuming a constant microporous adsorption volume. The five parameter D-A type adsorption model is shown to fit the experimental data for hydrogen (30 to 293 K, up to 6 MPa), nitrogen (93 to 298 K, up to 6 MPa), and for methane (243 to 333 K, up to 9 MPa). The quality of the fit of the multiple experimental adsorption isotherms is excellent over the large temperature and pressure ranges involved. The model’s parameters could be determined as well from only the 77 K and 298 K hydrogen isotherms without much reducing the quality of the fit.     

甲烷与含氮有机杂环化合物吸附作用的DFT研究

根据煤中氮的存在形式,提炼出11种具有不同杂化方式及含氮量的有机环状化合物.应用密度泛函理论(DFT)模拟方法对甲烷在这11种含氮化合物上的吸附模型进行结构优化,并结合吸附能、电荷分布及静电势能面的分析,从微观角度考察了甲烷与这些化合物之间的相互作用.计算结果表明:甲烷与含氮化合物的相互作用能在3.81-6.82kJ·mol-1范围内,且通过氢键和静电力相互作用;当化合物中氮的杂化方式为sp2时,其与甲烷的作用能大于sp3杂化方式的;当化合物中的氮含量增加时,可以提供更多的甲烷吸附位点.     

Adsorption of carbon dioxide-methane mixtures in porous carbons: effect of surface chemistry

A combined experimental and molecular simulation study of the coadsorption of CO₂ and CH₄ in porous carbons is reported. We address the effect of surface chemistry by considering a numerical model of disordered porous carbons which has been modified to include heterochemistry (with a chemical composition consistent with that of the experimental sample). We discuss how realistic the numerical sample is by comparing its pore size distribution (PSD), specific surface area, porous volume, and porosity with those for the experimental sample. We also discuss the different criteria used to estimate the latter properties from a geometrical analysis. We demonstrate the ability of the MP method to estimate PSD of porous carbons from nitrogen adsorption isotherms. Both the experimental and simulated coadsorption isotherms resemble those obtained for pure gases (type I in the IUPAC classification). On the other hand, only the porous carbon including the heterogroups allows simulating quantitatively the selectivity of the experimental adsorbent for different carbon dioxide/methane mixtures. This result shows that taking into account the heterochemistry present in porous carbons is crucial to represent correctly adsorption selectivities in such hydrophobic samples. We also show that the adsorbed solution theory describes quantitatively the simulated and experimental coadsorption isotherms without any parameter adjustment.     

金属-有机骨架材料MOF-5的改进与吸附甲烷的巨正则蒙特卡罗模拟

根据金属-有机骨架材料(MOFs)的设计思想, 在MOF-5(对苯二甲酸为桥联配体, Zn4O金属簇为中心的配位化合物)的基础上设计了10 种以Zn4O 金属簇为中心(Corner), 以不同基团单取代的对苯二甲酸(BDC)衍生物为桥联配体(Linker)的多孔材料. 用巨正则蒙特卡罗(GCMC)模拟方法, 计算了这些材料在298 K、1-10 MPa条件下对甲烷的吸附量, 讨论了不同取代基与甲烷吸附量的关系.结果发现, 在298 K、3.5 MPa 时甲烷的吸附量主要取决于吸附热, 并且以硝基取代的配体构成的MOF分子吸附甲烷效果最好. 在此基础上, 进一步设计了以四硝基取代对苯二甲酸为桥联配体的MOF-4NO2, 该结构在相同条件下对甲烷的超额吸附量为209 cm3·cm-3, 总吸附量达到228 cm3·cm-3, 比美国能源部(DOE)提出的甲烷吸附材料应用要求标准高26%.     

Predicting neopentane isosteric enthalpy of adsorption at zero coverage in MCM-41

The isosteric enthalpy of adsorption for neopentane at relative pressures down to 3 × 10(-8) in MCM-41 was predicted for the temperature range from -15 to 0 °C. At such low pressures and temperatures, experimental measurements become problematic for this system. We used an atomistic model for MCM-41 obtained by means of a kinetic Monte Carlo method mimicking the synthesis of the material. The model was parametrized to represent experimental nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations. The simulated isosteric enthalpy of adsorption shows very good agreement with available experimental data, demonstrating that GCMC simulations can predict heats of adsorption for conditions that are challenging for experimental measurements. Additional insights into the adsorption mechanisms, derived from energetic analysis at the molecular level, are also presented.     

Feasibility of density functional methods to predict dielectric properties of polymers

Feasibility of density functional theory (DFT) to predict dielectric properties such as polarizability of saturated polymers is investigated. Small saturated molecules, methane and propane, which is a monomer of polypropylene chain, are used in testing the methods. Results for polarizabilities based on several density functionals together with different basis sets are compared and contrasted with each other, with results by Hartree-Fock and second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory, as well as experimental data. The generalized gradient approximation PW91 method together with the 6-311++G(**) basis set is found to be the most suitable method, in terms of sufficient accuracy and computational efficiency, to calculate polarizabilities for large oligomers of polypropylene. The dielectric constant is then determined using the calculated polarizabilities and the Clausius-Mossotti equation. The molecular DFT methods at the PW916-311++G(**) level together with the Clausius-Mossotti equation give dielectric constants for saturated polymers such as polypropylene in good accordance with the experimental values.     

氮气在MCM－41分子筛中的吸附：实验和分子模拟

用美国Micromeritics公司生产的ASAP2010物理吸附仪测定了低温（77 K） N_2在MCM-41分子筛中的吸附等温线，获得了表征MCM-41特征的BET比表面、BJH孔 容和平均孔径。同时用巨正则Monte Carlo（GCMC）模拟方法考究了N_2在MCM-41中 的吸附，得到了N_2在MCM-41中的模拟吸附等温线，分析了流体在MCM-41分子筛中 的微观结构。GCMC模拟中MCM-41介孔材料模型化为圆柱孔，N_2模型化为Lennard- Jones（LJ）球。N_2和MCM-41介孔墙壁间的相互作用采用Tjatjopoulos-Feke- Mann（TFM）势能模型进行表征。通过使模拟和实验结果有一个好的吻合，确定了 一组有效的MCM-41分子筛的势能参数（σ_(ww) = 0.265 nm，∈_(ww)/k = 190 K ）。这为以后其他吸附质在MCM-41中吸附的预测奠定了基础、提供了依据。