Nickel Nanoparticles for Enhancing Carbon Capture

Abstract

Hydration reaction of CO2is one of the rate limiting steps for CO2absorption (in aqueous solutions) and aqueous CO2mineralization. The catalytic activity of nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) for CO2hydration is studied at different temperatures, pH, and low CO2partial pressures to mimic the true flue gas conditions. Results show that NiNPs can work as active catalyst for hydration of CO2in applications such as CO2separation and CO2mineralization. The NiNPs display optimum activity within 20–30°C and at pH value <8. NiNPs show catalytic activity even at low CO2partial pressures (12 vol%). In 50 wt% K2CO3solution, an enhancement of 77% is observed in the rate of CO2absorption with NiNPs. Commercially, CO2saturated K2CO3solutions are usually regenerated at 150°C; at these conditions, NiNPs show no considerable surface oxidation. They still exhibit catalytic activity for hydration reaction of CO2. CO2absorption and mineralization (as CaCO3) in DI water are three times higher in presence of NiNPs. Calcite (CaCO3) particles precipitated in presence of NiNPs are spherical in morphology.