In-Situ Synthesis of KO2 Nanocrystals on Porous Fiberglass Matrix as an Air Regenerative Product

The in-situ synthesis of KO2 nanocrystals on a porous fiberglass matrix is a promising route for the development of air regenerative products such as chemical lungs. The preparation process was studied experimentally with Taguchi experimental design L18 orthogonal array (35) to examine the effect of five physicochemical variables at three levels. Maximum active oxygen content (Oact wt.%) as the objective of optimization was determined by hot air at a temperature of 120 °C, flow rate 325 L/min, time of 10 min with 10 cm distance from the matrix, and alkaline solution 1.5%. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Fisher’s test revealed that the hot air temperature has the most significant effect on the response. The XRD pattern and TGA decomposition curves of the optimal sample confirmed the form of KO2 nanocrystals as a major phase on the matrix. The morphology and elemental analysis of the product determined by FESEM and EDX analysis have been evenly distributed both in pores and on the surface of the matrix in the form of spherical or quasispherical grains (10-40 nm in diameter). The BET-specific surface area of KO2 nanocomposite was measured about at 1.252 m2/g and they have a mesoporous solid structure. The best CO2 adsorption kinetic model was the Elovich model which fits the experimental kinetic data. The thermodynamic parameters represent the spontaneous and exothermic processes.