Volume 52

From Lab to Industrial Scale: Nano-Enhanced Formulations for Cost-Effective and Efficient Carbon Capture Yogendra Kumar, Diksha Praveen Pathak, Jitendra Sangwai

Abstract

Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from anthropogenic sources is an essential societal responsibility, particularly in light of the alarming increase in global atmospheric CO2 levels. Achieving net zero emissions and making our industrial clusters carbon-neutral is challenging and cannot be overcome without the development of large-scale carbon capture technology. Although amine-based absorbents have conventionally served this purpose, their efficacy is hindered by challenges such as low-temperature requirements, energy-intensive regeneration, poor recyclability, susceptibility to corrosion, and oxidative degradation. This study presents a novel nano-enhanced formulation derived from amines, aiming to demonstrate a sustainable CO2 absorption process that enhances carbon capture performance and reduces regeneration costs for extensive industrial applications. Experimental trials were conducted in an interfacial contact batch reactor at temperatures of 298 K and 318 K using CO2 with both nanoformulation and conventional amine solutions. The nanoformulation is prepared through a three-step technique involving microgelated nanoparticles and other additives. The SEM, TEM, DLS, and BET characterization were carried out to test nano-enhanced amine solution. Further, thermal analyses such as DSC and TG-DTA were conducted to examine the thermal performance of nanoformulation. Nano-enhanced amines (functionalized amine) exhibit a significant improvement in capture efficiency, approximately 10-12% higher than traditional amine solvents. Additionally, the nanoformulation shows enhanced CO2 absorption rates compared to traditional MEA (30 wt.%) solutions, and nearly 10 and 55 % enhancement has been reported in absorption rates at 320 and 298 K, respectively. When integrated with other strategies, this approach holds promising potential for carbon capture on industrial scales or directly from the atmosphere.

Keywords amine, absorption, carbon capture, functionalization, microgelation, nanoparticles