Researchers at the Jiao Tong University in Shanghai have developed a new material of biochar to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) in a much more efficient and affordable way.
This group, led by Chen Zhang, published the results of their work in the journal Frontiers in Energy, offering a promising breakthrough in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Industries such as power plants and factories release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels.
The research team in Shanghai created a unique biochar material from plant biomass. They began by converting the biomass into mesoporous biochar (a type of porous carbon) through a process involving salts such as zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) and potassium chloride (KCl).
To enhance the CO2 capture of this biochar, they added a compound called polyethyleneimine (PEI), which increases the material’s ability to absorb CO2.
The result was a microstructured biochar with a membrane core that is not only very effective but also sustainable and low-cost. The best version of this material, called PEI-600@MC, captured 3.35 millimoles of CO2 per gram at 70 °C and 0.1 MPa, much better than unmodified biochar and many other materials used so far.
One of the key findings of the study was that the biochar’s performance depends on the molecular weight of the PEI used. By experimenting with different types of PEI, the researchers found an optimal combination that maximized both CO2 capture and thermal stability, allowing the material to perform well at high temperatures.
Carbon Capture: A Game-Changer
The method of template formation with double salt and the innovative material design make it efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective. It also opens up new possibilities for designing materials that could be widely used to capture CO2 from industrial emissions.
This advancement demonstrates that biomass-derived materials, like mesoporous biochar, could completely revolutionize carbon capture technology.
By improving the way we capture CO2, materials like this biochar can play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gases and slowing down climate change.
The researchers assure that this is just the beginning, as they continue to explore new ways to convert waste and natural materials into powerful tools to protect our planet.
The Fight Against Climate Change and CO2 Capture
In the fight against climate change, reducing CO2 emissions, one of the main greenhouse gases (GHG) and drivers of global warming, remains a critical challenge.
While there are methods to capture CO2, such as amines scrubbing, these approaches are often costly and inefficient. Therefore, scientists are seeking more efficient materials with less environmental impact to trap CO2.
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