US20260208103
2026-07-23
Performing operations; transporting
B01D53/82
The patent application describes a novel approach to direct air capture (DAC) of carbon dioxide (CO2) using solid-state molecular polyamines, specifically 1,3,5-tris(aminomethyl)benzene (TriH). This material captures CO2 from ambient air through a unique mechanism involving a rapid phase transition, forming a crystalline, porous ammonium carbamate network. This process results in high CO2 sorption capacities and exceptional kinetics under various humidity and temperature conditions, making it suitable for diverse climates.
The technology focuses on gas separation and capture methods, particularly using CO2-selective molecular polyamines. DAC is crucial for mitigating climate change effects and achieving carbon-negative emissions. Current DAC technologies face challenges such as high operation temperatures and slow sorption kinetics. The new approach addresses these by utilizing molecular polyamines that exhibit rapid sorption kinetics and high CO2 capacities, even at ultra-dilute concentrations found in ambient air.
The invention provides compositions and methods for capturing CO2 using molecular polyamines that form a porous network solid. These absorbents can capture CO2 from various sources, including air and CO2-enriched streams. The preferred compositions involve molecular polyamines capable of phase transitions upon CO2 capture, coupled to substrates like porous membranes or thin films, enhancing thermal stability and reducing energy costs for regeneration.
The preferred molecular polyamines feature a rigid core with organic linkers bonded to amines. The core structures, such as benzene and pyrene, can be modified to optimize CO2 separation characteristics. The molecular polyamine TriH demonstrates the class's capabilities, capturing CO2 via a phase transition to form a crystalline network solid. The process involves exposing a bed of solid-state polyamines to CO2-containing gases, adsorbing CO2, and regenerating the absorbent through heating and vacuum swings.
The patent includes illustrative compositions, materials, and methods for CO2 capture using molecular polyamines. TriH, as a representative of this class, captures CO2 under mild conditions, forming a crystalline ammonium carbamate network. This process is facilitated by high symmetry molecular polyamines with central rigid cores and pendant amine moieties, leading to rapid sorption kinetics and high CO2 capacities. The technology is adaptable for capturing CO2 from both ambient air and point source emissions.