Integration and characterization of a zeolite material in a microcomponent for measurements of environmental carbon dioxide

Abstract

AbstractThis study demonstrates integration of a zeolite material in a ceramic microcomponent intended for use in sampling and analysis of environmental carbon dioxide (CO2). The zeolite material was integrated in bulk form, allowing for adsorption of large quantities of CO2 compared to previous integration attempts as thin films. To obtain a porous bulk material, an injectable slurry was developed, where expandable polymeric microspheres were added as a sacrificial template. By varying water and sphere contents of the slurry, it was possible to tune the porosity of the zeolite material between 55% and 72%. This in turn affected the flow resistance of the microcomponents, where an increase in the porosity of the filling from 62% to 72% reduced the flow resistance from 84 to 28 kPa min cm−3. In addition, the spheres facilitated complete fillings free from cracks. The zeolite material was seen to retain its ability to adsorb CO2 after processing, but it was not possible to quantify the level of retention compared to unprocessed zeolite.