Tatjana Zurbriggen, Nicoletta Brazzola, Adrian Odenweller, Falko Ueckerdt, Joeri Rogelj, IN: Research Square, https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6165238
Direct Air Capture (DAC) could play a key role in achieving net-zero emissions. Here, the authors use a probabilistic approach to explore its growth and therefore its contribution to climate change mitigation by 2050.
Navneet Goswami, Shraavya Rao, Sergio Diaz Abad, Andrew Ruba, Harshul Thakkar, Partha P. Mukherjee, Rajinder P. Singh, Jacob S. Spendelow, Edward F. Holby, Piotr Zelenay, Qinjun Kang, IN: ACS Applied Energy Materials, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.5c02020
The authors develop a physics-based multiscale framework, systematically integrating a pore-scale Lattice-Boltzmann Method (LBM) model with a microstructure-aware macroscale breakthrough model, simulating coupled mass transfer and adsorption kinetics for a carbon-based CO₂ sorbent. A screening of sorbent morphological parameters such as porosity and ratio of micropores/mesopores pertaining to hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers (CNFs) was conducted to delineate their influence on the adsorption performance.
William F. Lamb, Sean Low, Leo-Michael Gordon, Maisa Mattila, IN: Energy Research & Social Science, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2025.104237
The authors question whether the oil and gas sector can be relied upon to take the lead in upscaling carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Analyzing the annual reports and sustainability documents published in 2024 by the 12 oil and gas firms that are part of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), the authors find that all firms maintain nominal net zero targets, but are vague on how they plan to scale CDR. Instead, CDR reporting is project-focused, anecdotal and combined piecemeal into an existing raft of initiatives and apparent investments into “climate solutions” consistent with the private sector turn towards environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure and self-regulation. Afforestation/reforestation is the most commonly mentioned CDR approach in the guise of “nature-based solutions”, often signalling linkages to developing world projects, offsets, and carbon forestry. Certain firms emphasise direct air capture and carbon storage (DACCS) and appear to seek a first-mover advantage in the context of reinforcing rather than diversifying fossil fuel extraction and production. The authors map this emerging integration of CDR onto the business and political strategies of oil and gas firms, and point to three possible “directions-of-travel” that firms might follow as discourse and policy on CDR develops.
Le Zhang, Yunfeng Liang, Arata Kioka & Takeshi Tsuji, IN: Communications Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00468-5
The large-scale deployment of Diract Air Capture (DAC) is hindered by the high energy cost of purifying captured CO₂. Using impure CO₂ can reduce energy consumption and overall costs, but it also lowers storage efficiency. This work employs molecular dynamics simulations to examine storage efficiency by analyzing the impurity systems’ density across a wide temperature and pressure range.
Jan FM Van Impe, Grégoire Léonard, Satyajeet S Bhonsale, Monika E Polańska, Filip Logist, IN: System & Control Transactions, https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.160159
Bipolar membrane electrodialysis are receiving the attention of the research community in the last years because they can help the electrification and the spread of direct air capture systems. In this work, a mathematical model of a bipolar membrane electrodialysis cell for carbon dioxide recovery is carried out in order to find the most significant parameters on efficiency through a global sensitivity analysis. The electrochemical cell can be integrated into an absorption column capturing carbon dioxide from the air.
Mahmoud Abdalla, Mohamed Essalhi, Mohamed Hammad Elsayed, Amr Sabbah, Mohammed Gamal Mohammed, Isam H. Aljundi, Mahmoud M. Abdelnaby, IN: ACS Applied Polymer Materials, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.5c01431
Direct air capture (DAC) of CO₂ using solid sorbents offers a promising alternative to conventional amine scrubbing due to lower regeneration energy, higher selectivity, and improved stability. In this study, a hydroxyl-rich porous organic polymer (OPTP-8) was synthesized and subsequently functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTS) to yield OPTP-8-APTS, a material designed for efficient low-pressure CO₂ capture.
Seo-Yul Kim, Akriti Sarswat, Sunghyun Cho, MinGyu Song, Jinsu Kim, Matthew J. Realff, David S. Sholl and Ryan Lively, IN: Energy & Environmental Science, https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ee01473e
Even with the most potent amine sorbents, large-scale DAC deployment remains limited by high energy and capital costs. Recently, adsorbents relying on weak interactions with CO₂ have emerged as a potential alternative, thanks to their rapid adsorption kinetics and superior long-term stability, particularly under sub-ambient conditions (~253 K). Despite these advantages, their use is hindered by the need for a water-removal process, location-specific constraints, and insufficient working capacity even in cold climates. In this study, the authors hypothesized that further reducing the adsorption temperature to a near-cryogenic range (160–220 K) could enable cost-effective DAC by utilizing the full potential of physisorbents. They primarily consider integrating DAC with a relatively untapped source of cold energy—liquified natural gas (LNG) regasification—to perform near-cryogenic DAC. From large-scale molecular simulations, Zeolite 13X and CALF-20 were identified as promising candidates. These materials were subsequently examined through experiments, including breakthrough analyses at 195 K.
Udara Pahalagama Ranathunga Arachchige, IN: Nature Environment & Pollution Technology, https://doi.org/10.46488/
This study emphasizes the optimization of critical process parameters to improve the efficiency of DAC systems while lowering operational costs. Aspen Plus simulations were employed to model the process flow, pinpoint key reaction mechanisms, and evaluate how different operating conditions influence CO₂ capture efficiency. A sensitivity analysis explored the impact of variables such as air contactor parameters, solvent concentration, temperature, pressure, and moisture content on system performance.
Simon Rufer, Tal Joseph, Zara Aamer, Kripa K. Varanasi, IN: ACS Energy Letters, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.5c00893
Electrochemical CO₂ capture systems using hydroxide solutions face stiff performance trade-offs, as the hydroxide ions necessary for rapid CO₂ absorption reduce the current efficiency of subsequent electrochemical CO₂ release. In this work, the authors propose a carbonate/hydroxide separation step between CO₂ absorption and release to provide a concentrated carbonate stream for efficient electrochemical release and a separate hydroxide stream for rapid absorption. They combine experiments on CO₂ absorption, nanofiltration separation, and electrochemical release to build a comprehensive model that illustrates system performance trade-offs.
Dia Milani, Haftom Weldekidan, Wilson Gardner, Phillip Fawell, Robbie McDonald, Paul Feron, Michael Rae, Geoff Drewer, Graeme Puxty, Nouman Mirza, Phil Green IN: Cleaner Energy Systems, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2025.100974
The rising demand for critical minerals entails more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increased generation of tailings and other mining wastes. This study proposes a novel process integrating concentrated solar power (CSP), accelerated mineral carbonation (AMC), and direct air capture (DAC) technologies to reduce such wastes and emissions.
