Researchers from Northwestern University in the USA have made a breakthrough in carbon capture technology by discovering that multiple affordable materials can effectively remove CO2 from the air. The team developed a new method of moisture-swing direct air capture (DAC), which uses low-cost, sustainable materials to trap and release carbon dioxide depending on the local air’s humidity. The materials used include activated carbon, nanostructured graphite, carbon nanotubes, and metal oxide nanoparticles, which are often derived from organic waste or feedstock. The study found that certain materials, such as aluminum oxide and activated carbon, had the fastest kinetics for CO2 capture. The team believes that this technology could help offset emissions from industries that are difficult to decarbonize using renewable energy alone, such as agriculture, aviation, and manufacturing. The study has been published in Environmental Science & Technology and the researchers are now planning to further study the life cycles of the new materials and encourage others to develop the technology further.
US scientists debut innovative, budget-friendly nanomaterials to hasten the carbon capture process
