A promising MEA solvent regeneration approach using MXene@MOF catalyst for energy efficient CO2 capture
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Aqueous amine-based systems remain the most viable option for industrial CO2 removal from flue gases, but their widespread application is hindered by the high energy demands of solvent regeneration. The MXene@MOF nanocomposite addresses this limitation through catalytic regeneration by introducing a high density of active sites both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites on the catalyst surface that work cooperatively to enhance catalytic efficiency. By merging the conductive, surface-rich characteristics of molybdenum based MXene (Mo2CTₓ) with the versatile coordination chemistry of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks based MOF (ZIF67), the composite delivers accelerated CO2 desorption. MXene@MOF accelerates CO2 desorption by leveraging synergistic Lewis acid sites (LASs) and Brønsted acid sites (BASs) that weaken carbamate bonds and facilitate efficient proton transfer, enabling faster CO2 release at lower energy input. It achieved a 119% improvement in rate of CO2 desorption and a 48% rise in desorbed CO2 amount as compared to a process without catalyst, while also reducing regeneration energy consumption by 30%. The distinctly formed active sites on catalyst surface promote carbamate decomposition and proton transfer, making this hybrid material a promising advancement in CO2 capture for amine regeneration, and proposing it as a potential candidate among next-generation separation technologies for mitigating both industrial and naturally occurring CO2 emissions.
Source: Journal of CO2 Utilization
Institution: United Arab Emirates University
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,360
Awards: G3259311456, G405848312
OpenAlex ID: W7142486894