Abstract
This work shows the potential of nickel (Ni) nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized by polymers for accelerating carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolution into saline aquifers. The catalytic characteristics of Ni NPs were investigated by monitoring changes in diameter of CO2 microbubbles. An increase in ionic strength considerably reduces an electrostatic repulsive force in pristine Ni NPs, thereby decreasing their catalytic potential. This study shows how cationic dextran (DEX), nonionic poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), and anionic carboxy methylcellulose (CMC) polymers, the dispersive behaviors of Ni NPs can be used to overcome the negative impact of salinity on CO2 dissolution. The cationic polymer, DEX was less adsorbed onto NPs surfaces, thereby limiting the Ni NPs’ catalytic activity. This behavior is due to a competition for Ni NPs’ surface sites between the cation and DEX under high salinity. On the other hand, the non/anionic polymers, PVP and CMC could be relatively easily adsorbed onto anchoring sites of Ni NPs by the monovalent cation, Na+. Considerable dispersion of Ni NPs by an optimal concentration of the anionic polymers improved their catalytic capabilities even under unfavorable conditions for CO2 dissolution. This study has implications for enhancing geologic sequestration into deep saline aquifers for the purposes of mitigating atmospheric CO2 levels.
Highlights
Greenhouse gas emissions attributed to anthropogenic activities have increased significantly over the past century and continue to escalate
This study successfully examined stabilized Ni NPs by polymers for enhancing the hydration of CO2 in the application of geological carbon sequestration
We quantified the influence of ionic strengths on the aggregation of Ni NPs and variations in mass transfer of CO2 into the aqueous solution
Summary
Greenhouse gas emissions attributed to anthropogenic activities have increased significantly over the past century and continue to escalate This increase causes measurable impacts on global warming, leading to climate-related concerns such as the unprecedented rising of sea levels along with more frequent and intense wildfires, floods, droughts, and tropical storms. Safe storage through a solubility trapping process is controversial since most of the injected CO2 remains as CO2 molecules in the absence of a catalyst for enhancing the reaction rate of carbonic acid (H2CO3) formation[12]. Due to large variations in polymer properties that control the NPs’ catalytic activity, substantial uncertainties about the optimal combination of NPs and polymers remain These uncertainties can be mitigated by a fast and simple approach, as shown in this study, that determines CO2 dissolution phenomena accurately. The role of catalytic activity controlled by Ni NPs-polymer on CO2 dissolution can be revealed by observation of microbubble morphology via a microfluidic technology
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