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New Material Offers Promise for Carbon Dioxide Capture

As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to rise, contributing to severe weather events such as hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts, scientists are intensifying efforts to not only curb emissions but also to remove existing CO2 from the air. This dual approach is critical in addressing climate change, according to experts in the field.

“Extracting CO2 from the atmosphere is essential,” remarks Omar Yaghi, a renowned chemist at UC Berkeley, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. He emphasizes that action is necessary even if emissions are significantly reduced, stating, “We still need to take it out of the air. We don’t have any other options.”

Recently, Yaghi and his research team have introduced a novel material with the potential to revolutionize carbon capture processes. This substance, referred to as COF-999, is a yellow powder visible to the naked eye but reveals a unique microstructure resembling tiny balls with numerous minuscule pores under a microscope, as noted in the L.A. Times. Its stability is attributed to a hexagonal structure made of carbon and nitrogen, linked by covalent bonds—one of chemistry’s strongest bond types.

COF-999 functions as a covalent organic framework. The material is embedded with amines, which have a basic pH level. This structure allows air to pass through while actively capturing acidic carbon dioxide molecules that are drawn to the amines.

Research spanning approximately two decades has culminated in recent findings published in the journal Nature. The results demonstrate that COF-999 is exceptionally efficient in sequestering carbon dioxide.

In one experimental setup, a tube filled with COF-999 was exposed to the ambient air, resulting in the air emerging devoid of carbon dioxide. “We were scrubbing the CO2 out of the air entirely,” Yaghi confirmed to Scientific American’s Alec Luhn.

According to Zihui Zhou, the lead author of the study, a mere 200 grams of COF-999—equivalent to about half a pound—has the capacity to absorb approximately 44 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year, matching the carbon capture efficiency of a mature tree.

“In terms of performance, there’s nothing like it available,” Yaghi stated, highlighting the groundbreaking nature of COF-999 for climate mitigation efforts.

A significant advantage of COF-999 is its ability to release carbon dioxide after capturing it. Traditional carbon capture technologies typically require heating to high temperatures to liberate the gas, incurring high energy costs. In contrast, COF-999 operates effectively at a much lower temperature of just 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the material to undergo over 100 cycles of absorption and release without any decline in performance, as reported by the L.A. Times.

However, caution is advised by some experts regarding the premature declaration of COF-999 as a definitive solution for climate issues. Jennifer Wilcox, a chemical engineer from the University of Pennsylvania, pointed out that essential questions remain. She suggests that practical applications of COF-999 need thorough examination to evaluate potential limitations, such as any effects on airflow which could inadvertently increase energy consumption. “The answers will ultimately dictate costs and determine the material’s effectiveness,” she stated.

The scientific community remains dedicated to advancing carbon capture technologies. Yaghi enthusiastically remarked to Chemical & Engineering News that tackling carbon capture is not just a pressing societal issue but also an intriguing scientific challenge.

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www.smithsonianmag.com