TL;DR
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have created a recyclable superbase–alcohol fluid that absorbs CO2 from ambient air at a rate of 156 mg per gram of material and releases the gas when heated to 70°C in 30 minutes. The liquid is reported as non-toxic, inexpensive to produce, and retains a measurable fraction of its capacity after repeated reuse; pilot-scale tests and a solidified version are planned.
What happened
A research team at the University of Helsinki has reported a new carbon-capture approach using a recyclable filtration fluid made from a superbase combined with an alcohol. In laboratory tests the material took up 156 milligrams of carbon dioxide per gram directly from untreated ambient air while showing no reaction with major atmospheric gases such as nitrogen or oxygen. Captured CO2 can be liberated from the fluid by heating it to 70°C for 30 minutes, producing recoverable CO2. The compound’s capacity declined with repeated cycling: it retained about 75% of initial uptake after 50 capture–release cycles and roughly half after 100 cycles. The working formulation pairs the superbase 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-6-ene (TBN) with benzyl alcohol. The team plans near-industrial pilot trials and aims to produce a solid form by attaching the active fluid to supports such as silica or graphene oxide.
Why it matters
- Lower-temperature CO2 release (70°C) could reduce energy demands compared with methods that require very high temperatures to regenerate capture media.
- Direct uptake from ambient, untreated air indicates potential for direct-air-capture applications without preconditioning.
- Recyclability and measurable retention after many cycles point to possible operational durability and reduced material turnover.
- Use of non-toxic and reportedly inexpensive components may simplify handling and reduce raw-material costs if scaled.
Key facts
- One gram of the new superbase–alcohol compound absorbs 156 milligrams of CO2 from ambient air.
- Captured CO2 is released by heating the compound to 70°C for 30 minutes.
- The material does not react with nitrogen, oxygen or other atmospheric gases in tests described.
- Current comparator materials reportedly require temperatures above 900°C to release bound CO2.
- After 50 capture–release cycles the compound retained about 75% of its initial capacity; after 100 cycles it retained about 50%.
- The active superbase used is 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-6-ene (TBN) combined with benzyl alcohol.
- Researchers say none of the compound’s components are expensive to produce and the fluid is non-toxic.
- Discovery followed more than a year of experiments testing different bases and formulations.
- Next steps include testing the compound at pilot plants at near-industrial scale.
- Researchers plan to develop a solid version by binding the fluid to supports such as silica and graphene oxide.
What to watch next
- Results from upcoming pilot-plant tests at near-industrial scale (planned by the research team).
- Performance, capacity retention and practical viability of the planned solidified material bound to silica or graphene oxide — not confirmed in the source.
- Commercial cost estimates, lifecycle energy balance and large-scale durability — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Direct air capture (DAC): A set of technologies that remove carbon dioxide directly from ambient air for storage or reuse.
- Superbase: A class of very strong bases that are more reactive than conventional inorganic bases; used in some chemical capture reactions.
- Benzyl alcohol: An organic alcohol often used as a solvent or intermediate in chemical syntheses.
- Graphene oxide: A derivative of graphene that contains oxygen functional groups and can serve as a support or adsorbent in materials applications.
Reader FAQ
Who developed this CO2 capture method?
The work was carried out by researchers at the University of Helsinki; a postdoctoral researcher named Zahra Eshaghi Gorji is cited as the developer.
How much CO2 can the compound capture?
Laboratory tests reported uptake of 156 milligrams of CO2 per gram of the compound from ambient air.
How is the captured CO2 released?
The captured CO2 can be released by heating the compound to 70°C for 30 minutes, yielding recoverable CO2.
Is this ready for commercial deployment?
The team plans pilot-plant testing and work on a solid form, but broader commercial readiness is not confirmed in the source.
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Sources
- Efficient method to capture CO2 from the atmosphere / Univ of Helsinki
- Efficient method for atmospheric CO2 capture developed at …
- Low-energy compound pulls CO2 from thin air without …
- Low-Energy CO2 Capture Innovation Reduces Heat Demand
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