Harnessing Carbon-Based Materials for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Capture

The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere is a leading cause of climate change, contributing to rising global temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events. As Canada works toward achieving its net-zero emissions target by 2050, developing efficient, affordable, and scalable CO₂ capture technologies is crucial. Traditional CO₂ capture methods, such as chemical absorption and cryogenic processes, are widely used but remain expensive and energy intensive. This research aims to address the challenge of CO₂ emissions by investigating a range of cost-effective, carbon-based materials, including activated carbon, biochar, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for CO₂ capture. These materials have garnered significant attention for their high surface area, porosity, and tunable adsorption properties, which make them ideal candidates for gas capture applications. 

The primary objectives of the proposed research are: (1) To investigate various cost-effective carbon-based materials (activated carbon, biochar, CNTs) and develop a packed column setup to evaluate their CO₂ adsorption capacities experimentally. (2) To evaluate key performance parameters, such as CO₂ adsorption capacity and kinetics for the selected carbon-based materials, both with and without chemical modifications. (3) to assess the regeneration potential of CBMs, focusing on their reusability and long-term stability.

The expected outcomes of this research include a deeper understanding of the adsorption behavior of various carbon-based materials. Through innovative packed column experiments, the study will identify optimal conditions for CO₂ uptake, considering factors such as material selection, particle size, packing density, and flow rate. The goal is to develop a cost-effective solution with maximum CO₂ regeneration capacity after five cycles, ensuring long-term reusability and cost efficiency. Ultimately, this research will develop sustainable, low-cost CO₂ adsorbents supporting Canada's net-zero emissions targets.