Thermochemistry of a Biomimetic and Rubisco-Inspired CO2 Capture System from Air

In theoretical studies of chemical reactions the reaction thermochemistry is usually reported for the stoichiometric reaction at standard conditions (Delta G, Delta H degrees, Delta S degrees). We describe the computation of the equilibrium concentrations of the CO2-adducts for the general capture reaction CO2 + Capture System reversible arrow CO2-adduct (GCR) and the rubisco-type capture reaction CO2 + Capture System reversible arrow CO2-adduct + H2O (RCR) with consideration of the reaction CO2(g) reversible arrow CO2(aq) via Henry's law. The resulting equations are evaluated and graphically illustrated as a function of atmospheric CO2 concentration and as a function of temperature. The equations were applied to the thermochemistry of small molecule rubisco-model reactions and series of additional model reactions to illustrate the range of the Gibbs free enthalpy for the effective reversible capture and of the reaction entropy for economic CO2 release at elevated temperature. A favorable capture of free enthalpy is of course a design necessity, but not all exergonic reactions are suitable CO2 capture systems. Successful CO2 capture systems must allow for effective release as well, and this feature is controlled by the reaction entropy. The principle of using a two-pronged capture system to ensure a large negative capture entropy is explained and highlighted in the graphical abstract. It is hoped that the presentation of the numerical examples provides useful guidelines for the design of more efficient capture systems.