Electrochemically Mediated Direct CO2 Capture by a Stackable Bipolar Cell. Issue 6 (15th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hemmatifar, Ali; Kang, Jin Soo; Ozbek, Nil; Tan, Kai‐Jher; Hatton, T. Alan
• Is Part Of: ChemSusChem. Volume 15:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-02-15
• Subjects: bipolar stack -- carbon dioxide capture -- carbon storage -- direct air capture -- electrochemical separation; Green chemistry -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202102533
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-5631

Abstract

Abstract: The unprecedented increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration calls for effective carbon capture technologies. With distributed sources contributing to about half of the overall emission, CO2 capture from the atmosphere [direct air capture, (DAC)] is more relevant than ever. Herein, an electrochemically mediated DAC system is reported which utilizes affinity of redox‐active quinone moieties towards CO2 molecules, and unlike incumbent chemisorption technologies which require temperature or pH swing, relies solely on the electrochemical voltage for CO2 capture and release. The design and operation of a DAC system is demonstrated with stackable bipolar cells using quinone chemistry. Specifically, poly(vinylanthraquinone) (PVAQ) negative electrode undergoes a two‐electron reduction reaction and reversibly complexes with CO2, leading to CO2 sequestration from the feed stream. The subsequent PVAQ oxidation, conversely, results in release of CO2 . The performance of both small‐ and meso‐scale cells for DAC are evaluated with feed CO2 concentrations as low as 400 ppm (0.04 %), and energy consumption is demonstrated as low as 113 kJ per mole of CO2 captured. Notably, the bipolar cell construct is modular and expandable, equally suitable for small and large plants. Moving forward, this work presents a viable and highly customizable electrochemical method for DAC. Abstract : Connecting for saving energy consumption : Poly(vinylanthraquinone)‐based system for electrochemically‐mediated direct air capture of CO2 is herein developed and investigated. Operation of the cell is systematically explored under various configurations, based on which a stackable bipolar cell with nearly equal distribution of applied voltages throughout eight pairs of electrodes is demonstrated, leading to the energy consumption as low as 113 kJ/mol at atmospheric level of CO2 .