Aqueous and Gaseous Phase Characterization of Catalysts for the Carbon Dioxide Hydration Reaction

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Wavy nickel nanowires (NiNWs) were immobilized on mesoporous silica (SiO2) aerogels by the sol−gel method. The catalytic activity of pure NiNWs and NiNW−SiO2 aerogel composites toward the CO2 hydration reaction (CHR) when they are in water was measured. Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS Vacuum) analysis was performed at levels of 50% CO2 and 50% H2O vapor for SiO2 aerogels, immobilized nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) on silica aerogel and NiNW−SiO2 aerogel composites, in order to determine catalytic activity for CHR in the gaseous phase. The results from DVS Vacuum analysis (gaseous phase) and CHR (aqueous phase) showed that NiNW−SiO2 aerogel composites are good heterogeneous catalysts for CHR in both gaseous and aqueous phases but they are less active than NiNP−SiO2 aerogel composites.