Application of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials in CO2 Capture

Enhancement
Nabhani N 1 and Shojaie A 2*
1Department of Chemical Engineering and HSE, Petroleum University of Technology, Iran. Email: Nabhani@put.ac.ir
2Department of Chemical Engineering and HSE, Petroleum University of Technology, Iran. Email: A.Shojaie@ait.put.ac.ir

Shojaie A, Department of chemistry, Petroleum University of technology, 15 Ahmad Abad St, Abadan, Iran, Tel: 061533120050; Email: A.Shojaie@ait.put.ac.ir

Abstract
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are believed to be a major contributor to global warming. As a consequence large anthropogenic
CO2 sources worldwide will eventually be required to implement CO2 capture and storage technologies to control CO2 emissions.
Many extensive research works have been carrying out to improve the constraints of existing technology. Unfortunately no current
technologies for removing CO2 from source exist which satisfy the need of safety, efficiency and economically. Nanotechnology
can play an important role to provide viable material solutions to the challenges of cost-effective, energy efficient and high-volume
CO2 capture. This minireview highlights some recent promising research activities and their prospects in the area of carbon capture
with reference to nanotechnology based solutions. The potential opportunities and challenges that face future trends of
nanotechnology applications in the CO2 capture and storage are also discussed.

Keywords: Nanomaterials, Carbon dioxide (CO2), Capture, Nanosorbents

1. Introduction
With the rapid development of modern civilization, carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced in large quantities in industry (figure 1). Two
sectors produced nearly two-third of global CO2 emissions in 2011: electricity and heat generation, by for the largest, accounted
for 42%, while transport accounted for 22% [1]. Indeed more than 30 billions of CO2 are added to the atmosphere each year.
However, carbon dioxide being one of major greenhouse gases (GHGs) for global warming, its emission control has become an
urgent and challenging research topic [2, 3 and 4]. The emission of CO2 may contribute to urban smog, acid rain, and health problem
[1]. In another scenario (e.g.: a submarine, a subterranean mining environment or a closed-circuit respiratory apparatus), CO2
produced by occupants of a closed ecological system must be removed from air. Therefore, CO 2 removal is of importance.
One approach that holds great promise for reducing CO2 emission into atmosphere effectively is carbon capture and storage
(CCS). Under this concept, CO2 would be captured from large point sources, such as powerplants and converting CO 2 into useful
chemicals and by products (figure 2), such as methanol, carbonates, synthesized gas and also use for enhancing oil recovery (EOC),
[5, 6].
As we continue to burn fossil fuels for an increasing energy demand, new technologies base on novel materials and process
need to be developed which are cost-effective, energy-efficient and high-volume CO2 capture that allow capture and simultaneous
conversion of CO2 into useful chemical compounds.
It is believed that nanotechnology can provide the viable material solutions to this technology problem [7, 8]. In the present
work, we examine the potential areas where nanotechnology can benefit CO2 capture. The data and information collected is from
current literature. The information would be beneficial to both chemical engineering education and research.

2. Nanomaterials in CO2 Capture

A nanomaterial can classify when it possesses at least on dimension equivalent or less than 100 μm [9]. When such material
has a nanoscale dimension, many-size dependent specific properties will be shown up; including adsorptive property [10]. Unique
properties like light weight and small size with high surface area have put nanomaterials as an alternative choice for gas adsorption
application [11].
Compare with natural adsorbents, nanomaterials can increase attention for their higher reactive sorption capacity, fast reaction
rate and their significant improvement in the durability of the adsorbent [12-17] and low energy requirement [18, 19, 20 and 21].
Some potential nanomaterials for CO2 capture are summarized in table (1). These naomaterials are divided into four categories,
namely nanoporous materials, nano-hollow structured materials, nanocomposite materials and nanocrystalline particles. For
example, in case of nanoporous materials, it has been reported that using MgO precursor solution penetrated into a porous carbon
exotemplate, was able to remove CO2 about 10 times higher than commercial non-porous MgO [22].
CO2 adsorption by single-walled carbon nano-tubes (SWNTs) and multi-carbon nano-tubes (MWNTs) showed higher
capacity with surface area with activated carbon [23]. CaO derived from nano-sized CaCO3 showed its sustainability throughout
30 absorption/desorption cycles with high absorption of CO2 [24].
3. Outlook and Future Challenges
Nanomaterials are the potential solutions to overcome many limitations of CO2-capture process. The future possibilities for
nanotechnology in the CO2 capture could be identified as:

 Nanotechnology-enhanced materials that provide strength, durability and reliability to enhance CO 2 adsorption
 Corrosion management due to chemical degradation
 Light weight, rigged materials: the reduce weight requirement insulation costs
 Lowering energy cost (for the regeneration)
 Enhancing long-term stability of sorbent
 Safe environmental storage
Although many achievements have been made in laboratory conditions, serious challenges remain in field implementation.
Most nanomaterial-based products are still in the research and developmental stage in the industry. Before they can be practically
applied, numerous problems need to be solved, such as the production of low-cost and easily industrialized nanomaterials. Some of
the barriers that may slow implementation of future development in CO2 capture process, include the following.
(1) Lack of strong support for innovation
(2) Barriers to entry and adoption
(3) Perceived cost and risk
(4) Lack of awareness
With continued heavy interest in nanotechnology, potential solutions will emerge for the above referenced challenges. Once
solutions to these problem are solved and the relevant technologies developed, nanotechnologies can be extensively applied.

4. Conclusion
Fossil fuels will continue to be the dominant source of energy in the foreseeable future, in view of the immaturity of the
development of other energy resources, and will continue to emitting enormous amounts of carbon products into the atmosphere.
CO2 capture is one approach that holds great promise for reducing CO2 emission into atmosphere.
Various sorbents have been developed and improved, but still there exist many limitation with sorbents handling and operation
process. New technology based on novel materials and processes need to be developed. Our in-depth discussions, indicate that
nanotechnology can play very important roles in this effort. This will be most important scope that need to be directed towards
developing multifunctional nanomaterials in future research for effective carbon capture.

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6. Figures

Figure 1: World CO2 emissions by sector in 2011 [1]

 Figure 2: Concept mapping of CO2 capture and utilization

7. Tables

Table 1: Nanomaterials synthesized for CO2 capture with the advantages

Nanomaterials Nanosorbents Advantages Ref.

Nonporous Nonporous MCM-41 A synergetic effect on the adsorption of CO2 [24]

‘molecular basket’ by polyethylenimine (PEI)
CO2 condensed Ina pore channel like a ‘basket’
form
Mesoporous MgO Selective to CO2 gas [22]
Thermally stable
Regenerable.
CuO nanoparticle-load porous Higher CO2 capture capacity [25]
carbons
Nano-hollow Multi-walled CNT Have higher capture capacity with same [23]
structured Single-walled CNT surface area with activated carbon or zeolite
CaO Nanopods Higher CO2 capture capacity [26]
retaining>50 CO2 absorption capacity after 50
CO2
capture-and-release cycles
CaO derived from nanosized Higher CO2 capture capacity [14]
CaCO3
Nanocomposite Amine-functionalized Higher CO2 capture selective to CO2 gas [28]
mesoporous capsules base
Nano magnetic decorated Improved CO2 adsorption [17]
multiwalled CNT
Aminosilance-functionalized Improve CO2 sorption [20]
cellulosic polymer
Nanocrystalline CaO-MgAl2O4 spinel Reduce decay problem of CaO, retain more [27]
nanoparticles than 115 capture-regenaration cycles
Nanocrystalline Li2ZrO3 Improved capture of CO2 in a wide temperature [29]
particles range and improved kinetics of the
regeneration
Nano CaO/Al2O3 Improve adsorption capacity [13]
Lithium silicate nanoparticle Improved CO2 capture thermal stable [30]