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

Abstract

This 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.