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Direct Air Carbon Capture New Chemical Method

University of Helsinki Scientists Develop Efficient New Method to Capture Carbon Dioxide From Air

Carbon Capture from Atmosphere. Credit: Environmental Science & Technology (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c13908

Scientists at the University of Helsinki's Department of Chemistry have developed a new method for capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air. The technique was created by postdoctoral researcher Zahra Eshaghi Gorji and represents a potential step forward in atmospheric carbon removal.

This development adds to growing global efforts to address climate change, a topic frequently covered on Earth Day Harsh Reality.

How the New Carbon Capture Method Works

The approach is based on a chemical compound formed from a superbase and an alcohol. Laboratory tests conducted in Professor Timo Repo's research group show that just one gram of the compound can absorb 156 milligrams of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from untreated ambient air.

Importantly, the material does not react with nitrogen, oxygen or other gases commonly found in the atmosphere.

This selective behaviour allows the compound to outperform existing carbon capture technologies in terms of efficiency. The findings have been published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Related space, quantum, research innovation coverage can also be found at FSNews365.

Low-Temperature CO₂ Release Marks Key Advantage

  • Just one gram of the compound can absorb 156 milligrams of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from untreated ambient air
  • The material does not react with nitrogen, oxygen or other atmospheric gases
  • The captured CO₂ can be released by heating the compound to 70°C for half an hour
  • Clean carbon dioxide can be recovered and reused
  • The compound retains 75% of its capture capacity after 50 cycles
  • Around 50% capacity remains even after 100 cycles

This low-temperature release is the compound's greatest strength. Conventional materials typically require temperatures exceeding 900°C to free trapped CO₂.

Durability and Reusability Advantage

Moreover, the compound shows strong durability, retaining 75% of its capture capacity after 50 cycles and around 50% even after 100 cycles, Gorji noted.

Such durability could reduce the environmental and economic costs associated with carbon capture, an issue often discussed alongside sustainability and public health impacts at Human Health Issues.

Non-Toxic and Cost-Effective Design

Discovery and Chemical Composition

The compound was identified after testing a wide range of bases across different chemical formulations, Gorji explained. In total, the experimental work spanned more than a year.

Among the candidates, the most promising was 1, 5, 7-triazabicyclo [4.3.0] non-6-ene (TBN), developed by Professor Ilkka Kilpeläinen's research group. This base was combined with benzyl alcohol to create the final compound.

"None of the ingredients is costly to manufacture," Gorji noted, adding that the fluid is also non-toxic.

This combination of low cost, chemical selectivity and safety positions the material as a strong candidate for scalable carbon capture solutions.

Path Toward Industrial-Scale Deployment

The compound is now set to be tested in pilot plants at a near-industrial scale, moving beyond gram-level laboratory trials. To enable this step, the liquid compound must first be converted into a solid form.

"The plan is to bind the compound to materials such as silica and graphene oxide, which enhances its interaction with carbon dioxide," Gorji explained.

If successful, this transition could mark an important milestone in the development of practical direct air capture technologies, supporting future climate mitigation strategies.

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