A novel biomass-derived material has been developed, capable of absorbing and releasing carbon dioxide multiple times. This innovative material is mainly composed of lignin, an organic compound found abundantly in wood and various plants, and it can capture carbon dioxide (CO2) either from concentrated emissions or directly from the atmosphere.
Researchers from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have created a unique, biomass-based material designed to repeatedly capture and release carbon dioxide.
The composition of this material primarily includes lignin, a key organic molecule in wood and other plant life. Its ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) is notable, as it can source it from concentrated emissions or ambient air. The findings of this research were published in the journal Advanced Materials.
Hoyong Chung, an associate professor at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and co-author of the study, commented, “The remarkable aspect of this research is our ability to manage CO2 capture and release precisely, without needing extreme pressure or temperatures.” He noted that the material maintained its structural integrity even after numerous uses, indicating it could be a valuable tool for reducing carbon emissions.
Previously, Chung’s team introduced a polymer made from lignin and CO2, which suggested an alternative to conventional petroleum-derived plastics. This latest publication advances that idea, revealing that the process can be reversed, allowing the material to be reused for CO2 absorption.
Lignin, being a plentiful and low-cost resource found in plants, is typically collected as a byproduct from wood processing activities. Researchers are actively seeking innovative applications for this natural material.
In their experiments, the material developed by Chung’s team succeeded in capturing 47 milligrams of CO2 (approximately 5% of its weight) from concentrated sources and 26 milligrams from regular air. This absorbed CO2 can either be stored permanently or released for various purposes, including manufacturing and agriculture.
The team was intrigued by the unexpected release mechanism. While conducting nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy on a sample, they observed bubbles forming when the sample was exposed to heat.
Chung remarked, “This piqued our curiosity. What was happening? Why do we observe these bubbles in our polymer sample?”
Further research revealed that the application of heat prompted the material to release CO2. They discovered that by manipulating the heat applied to the sample, they could control how much CO2 was released, demonstrating potential for utilizing the captured gas in additional processes.
Releasing CO2 requires only temperatures around 60 degrees Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure, highlighting that extreme conditions are unnecessary for the reuse cycle. This temperature can be adjusted for various applications.
“This material acts like a sponge for CO2, soaking it up, releasing it, and then drying out so it can absorb more,” Chung explained. “It’s fascinating to explore what this material can achieve.”
The lead author of this study was postdoctoral researcher Arijit Ghorai.
This research received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
