Research Projects

Ferrogels, with their switchable stabilization properties and surface activity, have high potential for application in gas-liquid contactor systems. They imitate the dispersed phase and facilitate partial fluidization inside the absorption column, effectively participating in the grazing effect and decreasing mass transfer boundary-layer thickness. Ferrogels promote interfacial migration, interfacial tension, and retention time for effective gas absorption. However, their softness and deformability make their interfacial activity more complex. Amino-functionalized nanoparticles act as mass transfer agents and micromixing mediums, while microgel acts as fluidized and mixing agents that facilitate higher interfacial area for enhanced mass transfer. The surfactant acts as a nanofluid stabilizing agent to avoid agglomeration of ferrogels and nanoparticles. The synergy between ferrogels and amine-functionalized silica nanoparticles facilitates mass transfer by lowering the mass transfer barrier, leading to higher retention time, micromixing, and interfacial mass transfer. Functionalized micro-gelated nanofluid consists of amine functionalized nanoparticles, ferrogel particles, conventional amine solution, and surfactant. Functionalized micro gelation of conventional solvents facilitates chemisorption and physisorption on active amine linkage and long carbon chains in partially ferrogel fluidized columns. The bubble column acts as a fluidized bed reactor, increasing retention time and augmentation in interfacial area due to the large ferrogel interface. Ferrogels at the interface prevent coalescence during drop rise and mass transfer, while at the top of the column, coalescence is required for phase separation.