Ambient-Temperature Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide

Novel amine-based sorbents for carbon dioxide capture with enhanced oxidative and thermal stability

BACKGROUND:

Anthropogenic climate change presents an urgent threat to ecosystems, public health and economic stability. Even single degree increases in global temperatures can trigger irreversible impacts, ranging from biodiversity loss and food insecurity to more frequent extreme weather events and rising human mortality.  This climate change is also creating atmospheric carbon dioxide accumulation that requires the generation of novel and scalable negative emissions technologies, such as direct air capture (DAC), to achieve the international net-zero emission goal by 2050.

TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW:

Amine-based sorbents are among the most effective materials for DAC due to their high selectivity for carbon dioxide, but they are susceptible to chemical and thermal degradation in real-world deployment.  Oxidative stress causes formation of heat-stable salts and toxic byproducts that lead to declining performance and premature sorbent failure.  Sorbent degradation shortens performance efficiency, increasing the energy and cost penalties associated with frequent regeneration and replacement for commercial applications.  This University at Buffalo technology presents innovative polyamines for DAC that enhance oxidative and thermal stability while preserving strong affinity and selectivity for carbon dioxide.  In addition, its faster adsorption/desorption kinetics and low temperature regeneration properties make it suitable for a wider range of commercial applications.

https://buffalo.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/7742_in-part_image.jpg

Jelena, 1520380026, www.stock.adobe.com

ADVANTAGES:

  • Offers a scalable and economically viable system for advanced carbon dioxide capture
  • Incorporates structural features that enhance oxidative and thermal stability
  • Maintains strong affinity and selectivity for carbon dioxide
  • Synthesized from low cost, commercially available precursors
  • Fast adsorption/desorption kinetics
  • Low regeneration temperature
  • Resistance to degradation in oxygen and humidity-rich environments

APPLICATIONS:

  • Low cost sorbent materials
  • Scalable adaptation to commercial applications
  • Extended performance life leads to reduced energy and replacement costs
  • Rationale design of next-generation sorbents meeting durability and scalability requirements for pending international air quality regulations

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SUMMARY:

US Provisional Patent Application 63/932,027 filed December 5, 2025.

 

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

Laboratory demonstration.

 

LICENSING STATUS:

Available for licensing or collaboration.

 

RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS:

Patent Information: