Harnessing Electrospun Nanofibers and Hydrodynamic Cavitation for Enhanced CO2 Sequestration
Rokhsareh Bakhtiari
Materials Science and Nano Engineering, PhD Dissertation, 2026
Thesis Jury
Prof. Fevzi Çakmak Cebeci (Thesis Advisor)
Prof. Ali Koşar
Assoc. Prof. Ali Fuat Ergenç
Asst. Prof. Nuri Solak
Asst. Prof. Morteza Ghorbani
Date & Time: 16th July, 2026 – 1:00 PM
Place: FENS L027
Keywords: CO2 capture, Electrospun nanofibers, Hydrodynamic Cavitation, CO2 separation
Abstract
The increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions has created an urgent need for efficient and practical CO2 capture technologies. This thesis investigates electrospun nanofiber- and carbon-based materials for CO2 capture and recovery from both material and process perspectives. Three connected approaches were explored: PMMA–PEG–SiO2 electrospun nanofibers integrated with a custom-designed pressurized dissolution and hydrodynamic cavitation system, PAN-derived activated carbon nanofibers modified with metal oxide nanoparticles, and PEI–GAC composite adsorbents as an amine-functionalized carbon-based platform. The prepared materials were characterized using SEM, FTIR, TGA, DSC, BET analysis, and water contact angle measurements, while CO2 adsorption, dissolution, bubble dynamics, isotherm behavior, kinetics, selectivity, and reusability were evaluated. In the PMMA–PEG–SiO2 system, the combination of hydrophilic and CO2-philic nanofiber layers improved gas–liquid interaction, bubble retention, and CO2 release from the aqueous phase. This nanofiber adsorbent showed a specific surface area of 183 m2 g−1 and a CO2 adsorption capacity of 4 mmol g−1. In the second approach, AC–Al2O3 exhibited the highest CO2 uptake among the PAN-derived activated carbon/metal oxide composites, reaching approximately 0.81 mmol g−1 at 298 m2 g−1, balanced micro–mesoporosity, and uniform fiber morphology.
