Removing CO2 gas to address the global climate crisis is one of the most urgent agendas. To improve the CO2 adsorption ability of activated carbon, nitrogen plasma surface treatment was conducted. The effect of nitrogen plasma treatment on the surface chemistry and pore geometry of activated carbon was extensively analyzed. The porosity and surface groups of the activated carbon varied with the plasma treatment time. By plasma treatment for a few minutes, the microporosity and surface functionality could be simultaneously controlled. The changed microporosity and nitrogen groups affected the CO2 adsorption capacity and CO2 adsorption selectivity over N2. This simultaneous surface etching and functionalization effect could be achieved with a short operating time and low energy consumption.

    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Experimental
        2.1 Preparation of nitrogen plasma-treated AC
        2.2 Characterization of as-prepared AC
        2.3 CO2 adsorption ability of as-prepared AC
    3 Results and discussion
        3.1 Surface chemistries of the as-prepared AC samples
        3.2 Porosity of the as-prepared AC samples
        3.3 CO2 adsorption property of the as-prepared AC samples
    4 Conclusion
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Chaehun Lim(Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University)
• Cheol Hwan Kwak(Institute of Carbon Fusion Technology (InCFT), Chungnam National University)
• Seo Gyeong Jeong(Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University)
• Daesup Kim(Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University)
• Young‑Seak Lee(Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Institute of Carbon Fusion Technology (InCFT), Chungnam National University)