Researchers at Cambridge University have developed an electrified carbon sponge capable of absorbing CO₂ from the air. This technique uses charged activated carbon to capture carbon dioxide from the air, similar to the way a battery is charged. This advance has been published in the prestigious journal Nature.
Dr. Alexander Forse, of the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry and leader of the research, mentioned the urgency to reduce carbon emissions globally and the need to explore emissions globally and the need to explore greenhouse gas removal technologies to achieve net zero emissions. Forse stressed that, although carbon capture from the atmosphere is a measure of last resort, it is essential given the circumstances of the current climate emergency.
Star material: Activated carbon loaded with hydroxide ions
By loading activated carbon with ions that establish reversible bonds with CO₂, the scientists discovered that this material could capture carbon dioxide directly from the air efficiently. This loaded carbon sponge is more energy efficient than current carbon capture methods, as it requires significantly lower temperatures to release and store the captured CO₂.
The direct air capture technique, which uses sponge-like materials to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, presents a promising option, although expensive and dependent on high temperatures and natural gas. Forse and his team set out to investigate the use of activated carbon, known for its stability and low cost, as a viable alternative for carbon sequestration.
Activated carbon is commonly used in water filters and other purification applications, but traditionally it cannot capture or retain CO₂ from the air. The researchers theorized that by loading activated carbon with hydroxides, which form reversible bonds with CO₂, it could become a material suitable for carbon capture.
Testing of coal for CO₂ capture.
Using a charging process similar to that of a battery, the team charged an activated carbon cloth with hydroxide ions. This process allows hydroxide ions to accumulate in the pores of the carbon, transforming it into a sponge capable of capturing CO₂. After loading, the charcoal is removed, washed and dried.
Tests showed that the loaded carbon sponge could capture CO₂ directly from the air efficiently. This method consumes less energy than current materials because it does not require high temperatures to collect and regenerate the carbon. The developed carbon sponge needs to be heated to only 90-100 °C, which is possible using renewable electricity, as opposed to the 900 °C needed for other materials, which often require natural gas.
Limitations and future improvements of the electrified carbon sponge.
Despite its advantages, carbon sponge still has limitations, especially in high humidity conditions. Forse mentioned that they are working on improving CO₂ capture capacity under these conditions.
This approach could have applications beyond carbon sequestration. carbon capture The pores of the carbon and the inserted ions can be tuned to capture various molecules. Forse noted that the idea came about during the COVID-19 pandemic confinements and that it is exciting to see how these innovative ideas can come to fruition.
The research has led to the filing of a patent and is in the process of commercialization with support from Cambridge Enterprise, the University’s commercialization arm. The research was funded by Leverhulme Trust the Royal Society, the EPSRC and the Cambridge Centre for Climate Repair.
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Source and photo: cam.ac.uk
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