Novel Sorbent Material and Method for CO₂ Gas Capture

A novel silica fibrous nanospheres functionalized through an amination process for CO₂ gas capture

Technology Summary

A one-step thermal process (ammonolysis) has been developed to produce solid amine-grafted silica sorbent for CO₂ capture was developed. The grafting technique is simple and does not involve the use of expensive and toxic chemicals. The technique produces not only “green” but very robust highly stable sorbent material at high temperatures and different atmospheres. Unlike conventional organic amine-grafted silica products, the high mechanical strength of this sorbent allows its regeneration and multiple use for CO₂ capture. Our data, so far, has demonstrated up to 5 cycles of CO₂ gas capture with no deterioration in the sorbent’s morphology or performance. The CO₂ adsorption on this silica nanosphere sorbent material has shown fast kinetics with complete uptake of CO₂ in less than 2 minutes. This technology provides a sustainable solution in capturing CO₂ thus allowing use of fossil fuel with reduced CO₂ emissions.

IP Protection

KAUST has an issued patent US 13/709,155 for this technology.

Invention Track Code

2011-122

Benefits

• Simple and Cost Effective: One-step production process with no expensive chemicals required
• Environmentally Friendly: No toxic agents required
• Robust: High thermal stability in inert and oxidative environments
• Long Service Life: Excellent mechanical strength, easy regeneration, and long lifetime (up to 5 cycles of CO₂ capture)
• Fast Kinetics: High rate of CO₂ adsorption and desorption

Applications

• Gas Capture – (CO₂-containing gas streams)
• CO₂ emission reduction
• Automobile industry