The significant and rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is recognized as necessary to mitigate the potential climate effects from global warming. The postcombustion capture (PCC) and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced from the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation is a key technology needed to achieve these reductions. The most mature technology for CO2 capture is reversible chemical absorption into an aqueous amine solution. In this study the results from measurements of the CO2 absorption capacity of aqueous amine solutions for 76 different amines are presented. Measurements were made using both a novel isothermal gravimetric analysis (IGA) method and a traditional absorption apparatus. Seven amines, consisting of one primary, three secondary, and three tertiary amines, were identified as exhibiting outstanding absorption capacities. Most have a number of structural features in common including steric hindrance and hydroxyl functionality 2 or 3 carbons from the nitrogen. Initial CO2 absorption rate data from the IGA measurements was also used to indicate relative absorption rates. Most of the outstanding performers in terms of capacity also showed initial absorption rates comparable to the industry standard monoethanolamine (MEA). This indicates, in terms of both absorption capacity and kinetics, that they are promising candidates for further investigation.

We review the literature on the use of computational methods to study the reactions between carbon dioxide and aqueous organic amines used to capture CO prior to storage, reuse, or sequestration. The focus is largely on the use of high level quantum chemical methods to study these reactions, although the review also summarizes research employing hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics methods and molecular dynamics. We critically review the effects of basis set size, quantum chemical method, solvent models, and other factors on the accuracy of calculations to provide guidance on the most appropriate methods, the expected performance, method limitations, and future needs and trends. The review also discusses experimental studies of amine-CO equilibria, kinetics, measurement and prediction of amine pK values, and degradation reactions of aqueous organic amines. Computational simulations of carbon capture reaction mechanisms are also comprehensively described, and the relative merits of the zwitterion, termolecular, carbamic acid, and bicarbonate mechanisms are discussed in the context of computational and experimental studies. Computational methods will become an increasingly valuable and complementary adjunct to experiments for understanding mechanisms of amine-CO reactions and in the design of more efficient carbon capture agents with acceptable cost and toxicities.

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