Photoinduced phase transitions in nanogel particles for reversible CO2 capture

Abstract

Solar energy has been utilized to strip CO2 for saving the CO2 capture energy consumption. However, a large temperature swing is necessary for higher regeneration efficiency, which also will result in a serious materials degradation. Herein, we report a photo triggered phase transition strategy for reversible capture CO2 using amine containing nanogel particles-based solvents with a small temperature swing. The composite absorbents were prepared by combing N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide containing nanogel particles with polydopamine. The phenomenon of photoinduced phase transition was observed in both nanogel particles-based solvents and the composite absorbents. Although the nanogel particles can release most of CO2 undergo a light irradiation, the composite absorbents present a more faster desorption rate than the former, which can be explained by an enhanced light absorbability and photothermal conversion efficiency of the latter. An average CO2 regeneration efficiency can reach up to 92.45% in five CO2 uptake and release cycles, indicating that the photo triggered phase transition can be used to develop energy efficient CO2 capture technology.