Revolutionary CO2 capture: New material could save industry!

Revolutionary CO2 capture: New material could save industry!

In current research on CO2 capture, the focus is on innovative materials, particularly metal-organic framework compounds (MOFs). A current study by the Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf, the Technical University of Dresden and the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin shows the promising properties of the newly developed MOF called Calgary Framework 20 (CALF-20). The results, published in the journal Small, highlight CALF-20's capabilities in CO2 absorption under various environmental conditions.

Given the urgent need to remove carbon dioxide from industrial emissions, industry is increasingly asking questions about cost-effective solutions to capture and store this greenhouse gas. CALF-20 stands out due to its high absorption capacity for CO2 and low energy requirements for regeneration, which makes it an ideal candidate for real applications. The research, funded by the German Research Foundation, highlights low water interference, a common problem with conventional adsorbents such as activated carbon and zeolites, which are often inefficient in humid environments.

Special properties of CALF-20

One of the outstanding features of CALF-20 is its ability to effectively capture CO2 even under partial humidity. The study shows that the material adsorbs CO2 preferentially over water, which is particularly important in moderately humid conditions. This ability has been investigated through various experimental techniques such as positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and in situ powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD).

PALS analysis revealed that CO2 adopts a structured arrangement in the nanopores of CALF-20, which is crucial for the efficiency of adsorption. It was also found that at different humidity levels, different aggregate states of water arise, which in turn influence CO2 absorption. In particular, CALF-20 maintains significant adsorption capacity at relative humidity below 40 percent, highlighting its suitability for various industrial environments.

Track record and industrial application

In parallel with this research, the University of Calgary, in partnership with the gas separation industry, has launched an upcoming CO2 capture test procedure. The newly developed sorbent material CALF-20, which was tested in a cement plant in Vancouver, is used here. Initial results show that up to 95 percent of CO2 could be successfully removed from exhaust streams. CALF-20 has been detecting one tonne of CO2 per day since January, underscoring its practical applicability.

These achievements highlight the technology's global impact on carbon-emitting industries, particularly in energy-intensive regions such as Alberta. The calibration and scaling of this technology was achieved through the collaboration of scientists from various disciplines, including Dr. Arvind Rajendran and Dr. Tom Woo, facilitated, and significant progress has been made in implementing the material into industrial processes.

In summary, the comprehensive studies on CALF-20 not only provide valuable insights into CO2 capture, but also form the basis for future research and technological developments in the field of CO2 reduction. It is therefore a promising example of the use of MOFs in the effective capture of greenhouse gases.