High-Performance Carbon Dioxide Adsorption with Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8-Based Cellulose Air Filters

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is a highly promising material for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, thanks to its large surface area, high porosity, and selective adsorption properties, making it a strong alternative to conventional systems like monoethanolamine (MEA). The novelty of this work lies in the development of a ZIF-8-based cellulose air filter (ZCAF), produced using a rapid synthesis method combined with kraft pulping, enabling efficient integration of ZIF-8 nanoparticles into a cellulose matrix. This approach leverages the hydrophobic nature and large surface area of ZIF-8, along with the properties of softwood kraft pulp, to enhance CO2 adsorption. Characterization through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the rhombic dodecahedron morphology of ZIF-8, while energy-dispersive X-ray analysis verified its elemental composition. CO2 adsorption tests using a Gasboard-3000P analyzer showed a 41% increase in CO2 loading for ZIF-8 and a 22% increase for ZCAF compared with MEA. These results highlight the ZCAF’s potential to advance air filtration and gas separation technologies, offering sustainable solutions to global CO2 capture challenges.