Transition metal carbides as novel materials for CO2 capture, storage, and activation

The capture and activation of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) is a prerequisite to its catalytic reforming or breakdown. Here we report, by means of density functional theory calculations including dispersive forces, that transition metal carbides (TMC; TM = Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Mo) are able to uptake and activate CO2 on their most-stable (001) surfaces with considerable adsorption strength. Estimations of adsorption and desorption rates predict a capture of CO2 at ambient temperature and even low partial pressures, suggesting TMCs as potential materials for CO2 abatement.