Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM) and the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Universitat Jaume I of Castelló, led by researcher Marcileia Zanatta, have developed a new class of absorbents for the efficient capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the air, as well as from other dilute gas streams. A Spanish patent application has been filed for this invention, and partners are being sought for the commercial exploitation of the salts and capture methods, the industrial scale-up of the process, and its validation in real operating environments.
Carbon capture technology remains a focal point for global climate strategies, as industries look for ways to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from both point sources and ambient air. The research team, led by Marcileia Zanatta, is working within the Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM) to refine the chemical properties of these absorbents. By targeting dilute gas streams—where CO2 concentration is significantly lower than in industrial flue gas—the researchers are addressing a specialized segment of the carbon removal market that requires highly selective materials to function effectively.
The Chemistry Behind the Capture
The core of the innovation lies in the development of specific salts that act as selective sponges for carbon dioxide. This new class of absorbents is designed to facilitate the capture and subsequent release of CO2. The research emphasizes the versatility of these salts in various industrial environments.
Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a notoriously energy-intensive process. To make this process viable at scale, scientists must identify materials that have a high affinity for CO2 while maintaining stability over many cycles of capture and release. The team’s focus on salt-based chemistry represents an attempt to move away from liquid solvents that may suffer from degradation or evaporation over time. By optimizing the thermodynamic properties of these salts, the researchers aim to reduce the overall energy penalty associated with capturing carbon from low-concentration streams.
Scaling the Technology for Industrial Integration
With a Spanish patent application filed, the next phase for the INAM team involves moving from laboratory-scale experiments to pilot testing. Partners are being sought for the commercial exploitation of the salts and capture methods, the industrial scale-up of the process, and its validation in real operating environments. Successful industrial scale-up typically requires proving that the absorbent can withstand the impurities found in real-world air, such as water vapor, dust, and sulfur compounds, which can often “poison” or deactivate chemical absorbents.
Carbon capture technologies are essential to reaching net-zero emissions, but their deployment remains constrained by high capital costs and the need for reliable, long-term storage or utilization pathways. The project aims to provide a modular solution that could eventually be integrated into existing infrastructure. By developing materials that are both efficient and potentially cost-effective to produce, the team hopes to lower the barrier to entry for smaller industrial players looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
The Broader Context of Carbon Removal
The push for new capture materials occurs against a backdrop of tightening global environmental regulations. Nations are increasingly looking toward carbon removal as a necessary component of their climate pledges. However, the efficacy of these technologies is often measured by their “energy return on investment”—essentially, how much energy is required to capture a ton of CO2 compared to the energy required to sequester it or convert it into a fuel or chemical product.
Researchers are part of a broader European effort to lead in green technology innovation. The European Union has established a robust framework for funding research into circular economy and climate-neutral technologies. While the project is currently in the patent-filing and partnership-seeking stage, it highlights the ongoing shift toward material science-led solutions for environmental remediation.
Next Steps for the Research Team
The immediate goal for the researchers is the validation of their capture methods in “real operating environments.” This involves testing the absorbent in conditions that mirror industrial reality rather than the pristine environment of a laboratory. Potential partners would likely be tasked with providing the infrastructure for these tests, which will determine the durability, selectivity, and cost-per-ton of CO2 captured by the new salts.
As the project progresses, updates regarding the commercialization of these absorbents are expected to be released through the Universitat Jaume I’s official research communication channels. For industries interested in exploring carbon capture, the ability to license or co-develop these new materials could provide a path toward complying with future emission mandates. Interested parties can monitor the university’s official portal for future announcements regarding industrial partnerships or demonstration projects.
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