Preparation and CO2 capture properties of nanocrystalline Li2ZrO3 via an epoxide-mediated sol–gel process

Abstract Nanocrystalline lithium zirconate (Li 2 ZrO 3 ) was successfully prepared by an epoxide-mediated sol–gel process. The compositions and morphologies of Li 2 ZrO 3 were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the CO 2 capture-regeneration properties of Li 2 ZrO 3 were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The introduction of propylene oxide as an acid scavenger increases the pH value of the system to mediate the sol–gel transition. The as-dried xerogel is amorphous and the nano-sized Li 2 ZrO 3 crystallites with a tetragonal phase precipitate after heat-treatment at 650 °C. The nanocrystalline tetragonal-Li 2 ZrO 3 exhibits a better CO 2 capture properties, possessing an adsorption capacity as high as 21 wt.% at 550 °C and a good stability confirmed by CO 2 capture-regeneration cycles. Graphical Abstract Nanocrystalline Li 2 ZrO 3 possessing good CO 2 capture properties was successfully prepared by an epoxide-mediated sol–gel process.