Ammonolyated Silica for Stable CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CO2 capture technologies using amine-functionalized silica face issues with longevity due to organic leaching, structural degradation, and thermal instability, along with complex and non-green synthesis processes that require expensive chemicals and toxic solvents.
Innovation Solution
Development of ammonolyated/nitridated materials, specifically silica, metal oxide, and non-metal oxide materials, which are dehydroxylated and exposed to ammonia at varying temperatures to form stable amine or oxynitride groups, enhancing CO2 capture capacity and thermal stability while allowing for clean and green synthesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If amine-functionalized silica is used for CO2 capture, then CO2 capture capacity is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates due to degradation of amines at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical nature of the functional groups from organic amines to inorganic amine-like groups (Si-NH2, Si-NH-Si, Si=NH) through ammonolysis treatment. This parameter change in chemical composition maintains CO2 capture capacity while dramatically improving thermal stability, as the inorganic Si-N bonds are stable up to 1000°C whereas organic amines degrade above 200°C.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, thermally unstable organic amine functional groups with simpler, thermally stable inorganic amine-like groups formed through direct ammonolysis. This substitution uses cheaper materials (ammonia gas instead of complex organic silanes) and creates a durable material that does not require frequent replacement due to thermal degradation.
2Quantity of substance
If organic amino-functionalized silica is used, then CO2 capture capacity is improved, but longevity deteriorates due to leaching of organics from the support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces organic amine functional groups that leach from the support with inorganic amine-like groups that are an integral part of the silica structure. The Si-N bonds formed through ammonolysis are covalent and stable, preventing leaching and dramatically extending the material's operational lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite inorganic material where amine-like groups are integrated into the silica framework through ammonolysis. This composite structure combines the stability of inorganic silica with the CO2 capture functionality of amine groups, eliminating the phase separation and leaching issues inherent in organic-inorganic hybrid materials.
3Quantity of substance
If amine-functionalized silica is used, then CO2 capture capacity is improved, but structural stability deteriorates due to structural degradation of the support upon grafting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the functionalization method from organic grafting to inorganic ammonolysis. This parameter change in the chemical process prevents the structural degradation and pore blockage caused by organic molecule grafting, while still achieving high CO2 capture capacity through the formation of Si-NH2 groups on the silica surface.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional amine-functionalization methods are used, then CO2 capture capacity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to multistep operations and toxic solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex multistep organic functionalization process, including solvent treatments and multiple grafting steps. Instead, it uses a single-step ammonolysis treatment with ammonia gas, dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining CO2 capture capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the simple, green ammonolysis process into a beneficial functionalization method. By using ammonia gas treatment instead of complex organic chemistry, the process eliminates toxic solvents and multiple steps while achieving the desired amine functionality for CO2 capture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ammonolyated/nitridated materials demonstrate excellent CO2 capture capabilities, thermal stability, and regenerability, overcoming the limitations of conventional amine-grafted mesoporous silica with faster adsorption-desorption kinetics and reduced sorbent cost, making the process more sustainable and practical.
Implementation Method 1
CO2 capture and sequestration using solid adsorbents have received extensive interest due to their good sorption capacity
Implementation Method 2
dehydroxylating the material; and exposing the material to ammonia at a temperature of about −273 K to 2000 K or more to form an ammonolyated/nitridated material
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to materials that can be used for gas (e.g., CO2) capture, methods of making materials, methods of capturing gas (e.g., CO2), and the like.