Researchers are pursuing a new approach to take CO₂ out of the atmosphere – instead of trapping the greenhouse gas in bulky filter materials over long periods of time, they have developed extremely thin coatings to absorb and release CO₂ in a matter of seconds.
Unlike conventional filter materials, they do not absorb CO₂ deep within their structure but instead bind it directly to the surface. According to the Empa researchers, the new approach can be illustrated by comparing it to a conveyor belt: a thinly coated surface moves continuously.
On one side, ambient air flows past and CO₂ adsorbs onto the surface. On the other side, the coating is heated and subjected to reduced pressure, enabling the CO₂ to be desorbed and the material to be recharged. The surface is then ready for the next cycle.
Dirk Hegemann, lead researcher, said: “Instead of building such systems that are ever larger and more technically complex, many smaller units could be combined.”
Another lead researcher, Sandra Galmarini, added: “Today’s technologies make sense primarily in large-scale systems. With our approach, we would also have the option of operating smaller – and thus more flexible – systems.”
Although many questions remain, the researchers see great potential.
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