Solid with infused reactive liquid (SWIRL): A novel liquid-based separation approach for effective CO2 capture

Economical CO2 capture demands low-energy separation strategies. We use a liquid-infused surface (LIS) approach to immobilize reactive liquids, such as amines, on a textured and thermally conductive solid substrate with high surface-area to volume ratio (AN) continuum geometry. The infused, micrometer-thick liquid retains that high AN and directly contacts the gas phase, alleviating mass transport resistance typically encountered in mesoporous solid adsorbents. We name this LIS class solid with infused reactive liquid (SWIRL). SWIRL-amine requires no water dilution or costly mixing unlike the current liquid-based commercial approach. SWIRL- tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) shows stable, high capture capacities at power plant CO2 concentrations near flue gas temperatures, preventing energy-intensive temperature swings needed for other approaches. Water vapor increases CO2 capacity of SWIRL-TEPA without compromising stability.

Automated summary

Economical CO2 capture can be achieved with the liquid-infused surface (LIS) approach, which immobilizes reactive liquids on a textured solid substrate to overcome mass transport resistance. This new method, called SWIRL, does not require dilution or costly mixing, and exhibits stable and high capture capacities.