Takeaways

• A new low-energy compound captures CO2 from ambient air without reacting with other gases or needing extreme heat.
• Developed in Finland, the material releases captured CO2 at just 70 °C, cutting energy use significantly.
• The compound is reusable, non-toxic, and made from affordable components, supporting future scale-up.

Pulling carbon dioxide directly from ambient air has long been seen as an energy-intensive challenge. Many existing direct air capture systems rely on materials that need extreme heat to release captured CO2, driving up costs and emissions. Now, researchers in Finland say they have developed a new compound that could make the process far more efficient.

Scientists at the University of Helsinki have created a novel material that captures CO2 from untreated air while avoiding reactions with other atmospheric gases. Crucially, the compound works without the need for extreme heat, a major barrier in current carbon capture technologies.

Read More: Carbon Capture Innovation Emerges from a Predictive Mismatch

The method was developed by postdoctoral researcher Zahra Eshaghi Gorji in the chemistry department. It is based on a compound formed by combining a superbase with an alcohol. In laboratory tests carried out in the research group led by Professor Timo Repo, the material showed an unusually high carbon-capture capacity.

According to the researchers, just one gram of the compound absorbed 156 milligrams of CO2 directly from ambient air. This performance exceeds that of many existing direct air capture materials. At the same time, the compound does not bind with nitrogen, oxygen, or other gases present in the atmosphere, making it highly selective.

Minimal Heat, Maximum Efficiency

One of the most notable advantages of the new material is how easily it releases the captured CO2. Heating the compound to 70 °C (158 °F) for 30 minutes is enough to recover pure CO2 that can be reused.

“The ease of releasing CO2 is the key advantage of the new compound,” Eshaghi Gorji said. She contrasted this with conventional materials, which often require temperatures above 900 °C to regenerate.

The compound also showed strong durability. After repeated use, it retained around 75% of its original capacity after 50 cycles and about 50% after 100 cycles. This level of reusability could help reduce operating costs if the technology is scaled up.

Designed for Practical, Real-World Application

Beyond performance, the researchers say the compound is both safe and economical. The breakthrough came after more than a year of testing different base compounds.

The most effective base turned out to be 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-6-ene (TBN), originally developed in the research group of Professor Ilkka Kilpeläinen. When combined with benzyl alcohol, it formed the final carbon-capturing fluid.

“None of the components is expensive to produce,” Eshaghi Gorji noted, adding that the fluid is also non-toxic.

Also Read: Carbon Capture Market Forecast: Policy Shifts Fuel Global Growth

The next stage of research will focus on scaling the technology beyond laboratory conditions. To enable industrial use, the liquid compound will need to be converted into a solid form, potentially by binding it to materials such as silica or graphene oxide. If successful, the approach could strengthen direct air capture by offering a low-energy, reusable solution for removing CO2 from ambient air.

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Source: INTERESTINGENGINEERING