3D Printed Polymer Composites for CO₂Capture

Abstract

We have developed polymer composite inks that may be three-dimensionally (3D) printed to produce new reactor designs for CO2 capture. These inks are composed of solid sodium carbonate particles dispersed within an uncured silicone and are printed using direct ink writing (DIW). After printing, the silicone is cured, and the structures are hydrated to form aqueous sodium carbonate domains dispersed throughout the silicone. These domains enable high CO2 absorption rates by creating domains with a high surface area of the solvent per unit volume in the printed structures. These results demonstrate an order-of-magnitude improvement in CO2 absorption rates relative to a liquid pool of sodium carbonate. The results from this class of composite inks demonstrate the potential for the use of 3D printing to shape new and advanced CO2 capture reactors.

The potential of additively manufactured membranes for selective separation and capture of CO2

“…[40] Nguyen et al employed direct ink writing (DIW) in fabricating a composite membrane from silicone polymer (as the bulk phase) and sodium carbonate (as the dispersed phase). [68] Results revealed that the increasing CO 2 absorption rates were associated with increasing carbonate loading up to 20%. [68] Several studies have also reported the use of cellulosebased hybrid materials as membranes due to their promising gas separation capability.…”

“…[68] Results revealed that the increasing CO 2 absorption rates were associated with increasing carbonate loading up to 20%. [68] Several studies have also reported the use of cellulosebased hybrid materials as membranes due to their promising gas separation capability. [25][26][27] Gottschlich et al fabricated a gas separation membrane by blending microfibrillated cellulose with polyvinylamine, followed by exposure to vacuum at high temperatures.…”

The refinery of today, tomorrow, and the future: A separations perspective

“…(top left) Monolithic contactor with wash coating of metal–organic framework adsorbent (adapted with permission from Reference 40, copyright 2010, John Wiley & Son). (top right) laminates, monoliths, corrugated paper, and fabrics (Reprinted with permission from Reference 36), (bottom left) 3D printed adsorption contactor in gyroid configuration loaded with sodium carbonate particles (reprinted with permission from Reference 41, copyright 2019, American Chemical Society), (bottom right) hollow fiber sorbent module with 75 wt% zeolite LiX (reprinted with permission from Reference 42, copyright 2018, American Chemical Society)…”

Advanced absorber heat integration via heat exchange packings

“…A promising means of cutting CO 2 emissions from fossil power plants and industrial processes is carbon capture and storage (CCS) 2,3,4 . A wide range of technologies are available for CCS, utilizing solvents, 5 solid sorbents, 6 membranes, 7 and hybrid materials 8,9,10 . Solvent‐based CCS technologies are the most mature, 11 with a number of industrial‐scale plants in operation globally 12 .…”