Nanomaterials for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Conversion Technologies

Abundant CO2 emissions from industries and the transportation sector are a threat to the planet, due to overwhelming concerns regarding CO2-induced climate change. Nanomaterials are being widely investigated for CO2 capture and conversion processes. Nano absorbents, adsorbents, and nanomembranes for CO2 capture, nano catalysts for catalytic CO2 conversion, and chemical fixation of CO2 are some of the broader applications of nanomaterials for CO2 mitigation.

The common absorbents for CO2 are ammonia, amine-based solvents, ionic liquids, and alkali solutions. The available literature reports on the addition of several nanomaterials, which have enhanced CO2 absorption rates and the capacities of liquid CO2 absorbents. Apart from addition of nanomaterials to liquid solvents, nanofluids are also reported as emerging CO2 absorbents. Nanomaterials are very good CO2 adsorbents, as they come with a larger surface area, have favourable CO2 adsorption characteristics, and have ease of synthesis and regeneration.

Nanomaterial-based membranes are one the emerging areas for the utilization of nanomaterials for CO2 capture. Nanomaterials have shown amazing catalytic characteristics for CO2 conversion into fuels and chemicals. The catalytic process involving electro and photoreduction of CO2, hydrogenation of CO2, and artificial fixation of CO2 to epoxides, produces a variety of fine products and intermediates. Metal oxide-based nanomaterials, graphene-based nanomaterials, metallic organic frameworks (MOFs), derived or embedded nanoparticles, biomass and waste-derived nanomaterials, etc., have revolutionized the conversion of CO2 into value-added products.

This book focuses on the applications of nanomaterials for CO2 capture and conversion. The book will highlight to the audience the need for CO2 mitigation, followed by the basic principles for CO2 capture and conversion, using different nanomaterials, and will conclude with challenges and perspectives for the use of nanomaterials for CO2 mitigation technologies.