1

Gramofon – Objectives reminder and Period 1 progress update.

The key objectives of GRAMOFON project are:

(i) to develop and protoype a new energy and cost-competitive dry separation process for

post-combustion CO2 capture based on innovative hybrid porous solids Metal organic frameworks

(MOFs) and Graphene Oxide nanostructures.

(ii) to optimize the CO2 desorption process by means of Microwave Swing Desorption (MSD)

and Joule effect, that will surpass the efficiency of the conventional heating procedures.

The project started on 1st October 2016 with a timeline of 42 months ending on 31st March 2020.

During the first period of the project different methodologies to produce graphene aerogels have

been developed, working mainly on the reduction routes to make the previous hydrogel, as well as

the drying process. Different problems related to the effect of parameters have been found, but

finally, the process has been optimized. The relation between aerogel structure and CO2 capture

performance will be explored in the second year of the project.

The Gramofon Process

2

This newsletter will update on work packages 1-4 of the project which have been the focus of Period

1. The next newsletter will update on all remaining work packages.

Partner Progress Meetings – Month 24 - PDC - Breda

Throughout The first 24 months of the

GRAMOFON project it has been important for

team members to stay in touch and update on

progress.

The 6 monthly review meetings have been vital

to build relationships and friendships within the

GRAMOFON project and transform a group of

organisations spread throughout Europe into

real project team.

Thanks to CNRS, Fraunhofer ICT, The University

of Mons and PDC for hosting the 6,12, 18 and

24 month reviews respectively.

3

So What’s been Achieved so far in the Gramofon Project?

WP1 – Development of Modified Graphene Oxide Aerogels.

WP1 is about the preparation of single layer graphene materials and appropriate

functionalization for an optimization of the aerogel synthesis as well as the affinity of

the resulting system for CO2 adsorption.

During this period the optimization of GO has continued, developing new structures

combining new graphite sources. The resulting new GO materials with improved

surface area have very interesting effects on CO2 capture.

The results have shown very interesting absorption values for some of the modified

materials. New freeze casting procedures for aerogel formation have also shown

important structural improvements with positive effects on CO2 adsorbtion.

SEM Detail of ground particle from GO Aerogel.

4

WP2 - Development of MOFs / Graphene Oxides for C02 Capture

WP2 is about the synthesis, characterisation, shaping and scale up of pure MOF

materials and MOF/graphene oxide composites with high performance for CO2

capture. So far the WP2 partners have synthesized at gram scale new MOFs-GO

composites. Following characterisation of CO2 adsorption the most promising

materials have been tested for microwave permittivity in WP3. Samples showing the

best results have been scaled up to 30g scale and shaped using a range of granulation

and extrusion techniques ready for CO2 capture and desorption tests in WP4.

Thermoelectric / Joule Effect Measurement in WP2

5

WP3 - Development of Microwave Desorption Technology

WP3 is about gaining new knowledge on the interaction of microwaves on the

modified graphene oxide and MOF – Graphene Oxide composites produced in WP1

and WP2 and the development of a system to apply microwave energy to the new

materials.

The testing of the materials produced in WP1 and WP2 has shown that it is possible

to tailor the dielectric function of the MOF composites in a wide range from very

low to very microwave absorption.

Using the dielectric results the electrical field inside a microwave cavity was

simulated. This has allowed the geometry and dimensions for a cavity to be designed

in which the electric field is uniform inside the tube containing the MOF material.

The first microwave cavity has now been manufactured ready for the first feasibility

tests of microwave desorption to be done at the University of Mons in WP4.

6

WP3 Microwave Cavity Design

WP4 Evaluation of CO2 Capture performance and desorption test

The aim of WP4 is to evaluate the CO2

adsorption and desorption properties of the

materials prepared at gram scale in the first

stage of the project. A range of graphene

oxides , modified graphene oxides, modified

graphene aerogels, MOFs and MOF-

Graphene oxide composites have now been

tested. The testing has allowed the selection

of the best performing materials for further

evaluation at scaled up volumes.

Shaped material ready for test

7

CO2/N2 Adsorption/desorption breakthrough curve cycles have been completed to check the regenerabilty of adsorbent and determine the working capacity and CO2/N2 selectivity. Further testing is now under way but initial results suggest that the incorporation of graphene oxide has a positive effect on selectivity.

The Gramofon Project Team at PDC, Breda for the 24m Meeting

This publication reflects only the author’s view. The European Commission is not responsible for

any use that may be made of the information it contains.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020

research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 727619