Ultrafast and Stable CO2 Capture Using Alkali Metal Salt-Promoted MgO-CaCO3 Sorbents

Titania spheres with nanochannel-restricted NaNO2/MgO for improving cyclic CO2 adsorption stability

NaNO2/MgO/titania spheres prepared via aerosol-assisted self-assembly (AASA) were used as sorbents for CO2 adsorption at moderate temperature. The titania framework as support would allow MgO to disperse well, thereby increasing the contact between MgO and NaNO2 to enhance carbonation. In this study, the effect of Mg/Ti molar ratio and NaNO2 addition amount on CO2 adsorption was investigated. Results showed that the sorbent prepared by AASA with Mg/Ti molar ratio of 2 following the introduction of 30 wt% NaNO2 presented ∼1 μm particle size with rough sphere surface morphology and mesoporous properties, where the surface area and pore volume were 72 m2/g and 0.18 cm3/g, respectively. With NaNO2 addition, the kinetics and capacity of CO2 adsorption significant increased. In the cyclic adsorption/desorption experiment, the superior stability over the NaNO2/MgO/titania spheres was mainly ascribed to the confined space suppressed the degree of the sintering effect. These results indicated the potential application of the nanochannel-restricted sorbent for rapid, high-capacity, and stable CO2 capture at moderate temperatures.

Deciphering the structural dynamics in molten salt-promoted MgO-based CO2 sorbents and their role in the CO2 uptake

The development of effective CO₂ sorbents is vital to achieving net-zero CO₂ emission targets. MgO promoted with molten salts is an emerging class of CO₂ sorbents. However, the structural features that govern their performance remain elusive. Using in situ time-resolved powder x-ray diffraction, we follow the structural dynamics of a model NaNO₃-promoted, MgO-based CO₂ sorbent. During the first few cycles of CO₂ capture and release, the sorbent deactivates owing to an increase in the sizes of the MgO crystallites, reducing in turn the abundance of available nucleation points, i.e., MgO surface defects, for MgCO₃ growth. After the third cycle, the sorbent shows a continuous reactivation, which is linked to the in situ formation of Na₂Mg(CO₃)₂ crystallites that act effectively as seeds for MgCO₃ nucleation and growth. Na₂Mg(CO₃)₂ forms due to the partial decomposition of NaNO₃ during regeneration at T ≥ 450°C followed by carbonation in CO₂.

The Kinetics of Sorption–Desorption Phenomena: Local and Non-Local Kinetic Equations

The kinetics of adsorption phenomena are investigated in terms of local and non-local kinetic equations of the Langmuir type. The sample is assumed in the shape of a slab, limited by two homogeneous planar-parallel surfaces, in such a manner that the problem can be considered one-dimensional. The local kinetic equations in time are analyzed when both saturation and non-saturation regimes are considered. These effects result from an extra dependence of the adsorption coefficient on the density of adsorbed particles, which implies the consideration of nonlinear balance equations. Non-local kinetic equations, arising from the existence of a time delay characterizing a type of reaction occurring between a bulk particle and the surface, are analyzed and show the existence of adsorption effects accompanied by temporal oscillations.

A Review on Carbon Dioxide Minimization in Biogas Upgradation Technology by Chemical Absorption Processes

With an ever-increasing population and unpredictable climate changes, meeting energy demands and maintaining a sustainable environment on Earth are two of the greatest challenges of the future. Biogas can be a very significant renewable source of energy that can be used worldwide. However, to make it usable, upgrading the gas by removing the unwanted components is a very crucial step. CO₂ being one of the major unwanted components and also being a major greenhouse gas must be removed efficiently. Different methods such as physical adsorption, cryogenic separation, membrane separation, and chemical absorption have been discussed in detail in this review because of their availability, economic value, and lower environmental footprint. Three chemical absorption methods, including alkanolamines, alkali solvents, and amino acid salt solutions, are discussed. Their primary works with simple chemicals along with the latest works with more complex chemicals and different mechanical processes, such as the DECAB process, are discussed and compared. These discussions provide valuable insights into how different processes vary and how one is more advantageous or disadvantageous than the others. However, the best method is yet to be found with further research. Overall, this review emphasizes the need for biogas upgrading, and it discusses different methods of carbon capture while doing that. Methods discussed here can be a basic foundation for future research in carbon capture and green chemistry. This review will enlighten the readers about scientific and technological challenges regarding carbon dioxide minimization in biogas technology.

Structural modification of salt-promoted MgO sorbents for intermediate temperature CO2 capture

MgO-based sorbents are a promising option for CO₂ capture at intermediate temperatures. MgO-based sorbents are often hybridized with alkali metal salts to promote the CO₂ capture performance. However, MgO-based sorbents often suffer a rapid decrement of CO₂ capture performance during multicycle carbonation-calcination reactions due to the reduction of active sites. In this study, we attempted to enhance the durability of MgO-based sorbents by modifying their morphology. A tubular-shaped MgO-based sorbent was synthesized using a carbon nanotube template. Various characterization experiments and evaluations were performed with the synthesized MgO-based materials. The MgO sample with modified structure exhibited a specific morphology consisting of elongated plate-like structures separated by empty spaces. This separation is expected to prevent MgO agglomeration and preserve the modified morphology during iterative CO₂ capture reactions. The MgO with modified structure achieved higher cycling stability with four times slower performance decay than the control MgO, even though identical chemical compositions were applied.

CO2 Capture at Medium to High Temperature Using Solid Oxide-Based Sorbents: Fundamental Aspects, Mechanistic Insights, and Recent Advances

Carbon dioxide capture and mitigation form a key part of the technological response to combat climate change and reduce CO₂ emissions. Solid materials capable of reversibly absorbing CO₂ have been the focus of intense research for the past two decades, with promising stability and low energy costs to implement and operate compared to the more widely used liquid amines. In this review, we explore the fundamental aspects underpinning solid CO₂ sorbents based on alkali and alkaline earth metal oxides operating at medium to high temperature: how their structure, chemical composition, and morphology impact their performance and long-term use. Various optimization strategies are outlined to improve upon the most promising materials, and we combine recent advances across disparate scientific disciplines, including materials discovery, synthesis, and in situ characterization, to present a coherent understanding of the mechanisms of CO₂ absorption both at surfaces and within solid materials.

Peering into buried interfaces with X-rays and electrons to unveil MgCO3 formation during CO2 capture in molten salt-promoted MgO

The addition of molten alkali metal salts drastically accelerates the kinetics of CO₂ capture by MgO through the formation of MgCO₃ However, the growth mechanism, the nature of MgCO₃ formation, and the exact role of the molten alkali metal salts on the CO₂ capture process remain elusive, holding back the development of more-effective MgO-based CO₂ sorbents. Here, we unveil the growth mechanism of MgCO₃ under practically relevant conditions using a well-defined, yet representative, model system that is a MgO(100) single crystal coated with NaNO₃ The model system is interrogated by in situ X-ray reflectometry coupled with grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. When bare MgO(100) is exposed to a flow of CO₂, a noncrystalline surface carbonate layer of ca. 7-Å thickness forms. In contrast, when MgO(100) is coated with NaNO₃, MgCO₃ crystals nucleate and grow. These crystals have a preferential orientation with respect to the MgO(100) substrate, and form at the interface between MgO(100) and the molten NaNO₃ MgCO₃ grows epitaxially with respect to MgO(100), and the lattice mismatch between MgCO₃ and MgO is relaxed through lattice misfit dislocations. Pyramid-shaped pits on the surface of MgO, in proximity to and below the MgCO₃ crystals, point to the etching of surface MgO, providing dissolved [Mg²⁺…O^2-] ionic pairs for MgCO₃ growth. Our studies highlight the importance of combining X-rays and electron microscopy techniques to provide atomic to micrometer scale insight into the changes occurring at complex interfaces under reactive conditions.

One-Step Synthesis of Solid-Liquid Composite Microsphere for CO2 Capture

The design and development of efficient adsorbents for CO₂ capture is of paramount importance. Herein, we report a novel Pickering emulsion templating strategy to prepare a hierarchically structured, micrometer-sized solid-liquid composite microsphere (SLCM) for CO₂ capture. This strategy enables us to introduce liquid amine into porous silica nanospheres which are encapsulated by the hydrophobic shell of micrometer-sized sphere through a one-step synthesis. The interior architectures, microsphere sizes, and anime loading can be facilely tuned through varying the synthesis conditions. The developed SLCM exhibits excellent CO₂ adsorption capacity, fast adsorption kinetics, long-term recyclability, and reduced loss of amine in industrially preferred fixed-bed reactors. Interestingly, it was found that the adsorption behavior was dependent on the interior structure of SLCM. This study opens a new way to design efficient solid-liquid composite materials.

Effect of molten sodium nitrate on the decomposition pathways of hydrated magnesium hydroxycarbonate to magnesium oxide probed by in situ total scattering

The effect of NaNO₃ and its physical state on the thermal decomposition pathways of hydrated magnesium hydroxycarbonate (hydromagnesite, HM) towards MgO was examined by in situ total scattering. Pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of these data allowed us to probe the structural evolution of pristine and NaNO₃-promoted HM. A multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) analysis identified the intermediate phases and their evolution upon the decomposition of both precursors to MgO. The total scattering results are discussed in relation with thermogravimetric measurements coupled with off-gas analysis. MgO is obtained from pristine HM (N₂, 10 °C min^-1) through an amorphous magnesium carbonate intermediate (AMC), formed after the partial removal of water of crystallization from HM. The decomposition continues via a gradual release of water (due to dehydration and dehydroxylation) and, in the last step, via decarbonation, leading to crystalline MgO. The presence of molten NaNO₃ alters the decomposition pathways of HM, proceeding now through AMC and crystalline MgCO₃. These results demonstrate that molten NaNO₃ facilitates the release of water (from both water of crystallization and through dehydroxylation) and decarbonation, and promotes the crystallization of MgCO₃ and MgO in comparison to pristine HM. MgO formed from the pristine HM precursor shows a smaller average crystallite size than NaNO₃-promoted HM and preserves the initial nano-plate-like morphology of HM. NaNO₃-promoted HM was decomposed to MgO that is characterized by a larger average crystallite size and irregular morphology. Additionally, in situ SEM allowed visualization of the morphological evolution of HM promoted with NaNO₃ at a micrometre scale.

NaNO3 -Promoted Mesoporous MgO for High-Capacity CO2 Capture from Simulated Flue Gas with Isothermal Regeneration

NaNO₃ -promoted MgO composite materials have been prepared and their ability to sorb CO₂ at a concentration relevant to CO₂ capture from flue gas is explored. The uptake kinetics and capacities of sorbents of different NaNO₃ /MgO ratios are measured at intermediate temperatures of 230-300 °C. The sorbent with a NaNO₃ /MgO ratio of 0.10 has the highest 12 h sorption capacity among sorbents with different NaNO₃ loadings, and the highest sorption capacity of 11.2 mmol CO 2  g^-1 is observed at 260 °C. Intriguingly, an induction period is observed in the initial stage of CO₂ sorption. In situ XRD analysis, in situ FTIR spectroscopy, and a comparison of the CO₂ sorption behavior under simulated flue gas conditions in comparison to prior studies employing pure CO₂ indicated that the sorption of CO₂ occurred through nucleation of MgCO₃ crystallites in the material. The data indicate that the concentration of CO₂ within the molten medium of NaNO₃ , which is affected by both the solubility of CO₂ in molten NaNO₃ and the partial pressure of CO₂ in the surrounding atmosphere, has a critical impact on the length of the induction period. A partially desorbed sample after sorption of CO₂ displays much-improved sorption kinetics in the next cycle and was able to sorb and desorb CO₂ over multiple cycles at isothermal conditions by simply switching the feed gas from CO₂ to inert gas.

Comparison of CH4 and CO2 Adsorptions onto Calcite(10.4), Aragonite(011)Ca, and Vaterite(010)CO3 Surfaces: An MD and DFT Investigation

The interaction between greenhouse gases (such as CH₄ and CO₂) and carbonate rocks has a significant impact on carbon transfer among different geochemical reservoirs. Moreover, CH₄ and CO₂ gases usually associate with oil and natural gas reserves, and their adsorption onto sedimentary rocks may influence the exploitation of fossil fuels. By employing the molecular dynamics (MD) and density functional theory (DFT) methods, the adsorptions of CH₄ and CO₂ onto three different CaCO₃ polymorphs (i.e., calcite(10.4), aragonite(011)Ca, and vaterite(010)CO₃) are compared in the present work. The calculated adsorption energies (E _ad) are always negative for the three substrates, which indicates that their adsorptions are exothermic processes and spontaneous in thermodynamics. The E _ad of CO₂ is much more negative, which suggests that the CO₂ adsorption will form stronger interfacial binding compared with the CH₄ adsorption. The adsorption precedence of CH₄ on the three surfaces is aragonite(011)Ca > vaterite(010)CO₃ > calcite(10.4), while for CO₂, the sequence is vaterite(010)CO₃ > aragonite(011)Ca > calcite(10.4). Combining with the interfacial atomic configuration analysis, the Mulliken atomic charge distribution and overlap bond population are discussed. The results demonstrate that the adsorption of CH₄ is physisorption and that its interfacial interaction mainly comes from the electrostatic effects between H in CH₄ and O in CO₃ ^2-, while the CO₂ adsorption is chemisorption and the interfacial binding effect is mainly contributed by the bonds between O in CO₂ and Ca²⁺ and the electrostatic interaction between C in CO₂ and O in CO₃ ^2-.

Materials and logistics for carbon dioxide capture, storage and utilization

The efforts to curtail carbon dioxide presence in the atmosphere are a strong function of the available technologies to capture, store and usefully utilize it. Materials with adequate CO₂ sorption kinetics that are both effective and economical are of prime importance for the whole capture system to be built around. This work identifies such materials that are currently used in CO₂ adsorption beds/columns at different global locations, along with their vital operational parameters, logistics and costs. Three main classes of materials currently in use to that end are discussed in detail here, namely solid sorbents, advanced solvents membrane systems. These materials are then compared in terms of their potential CO₂ uptake, operating parameters and ease of use and implementation of the respective technology. Tabular data are appended to each technology covered with the most relevant advantages and disadvantages. With such comprehensive survey of the recent state-of-the-art materials, recommendations are also made to facilitate the selection of systems based on their CO₂ yield, price and suitability to the geographical location.