Amine-Based Ionic Liquid for CO2 Capture and Electrochemical or Thermal Regeneration

An ethylenediamine-functionalized ionic liquid (IL) was synthesized for CO2 capture from industrial gases, with good CO2 absorption capacity of around 0.95 mmol (42 mg) of CO2/g of IL at 35 degrees C. In contrast to conventional gas desorption via utilization of an energy intensive thermal swing, CO2 was released on competitive complexation of the amines with cupric ions introduced to the ionic liquid electrolyte by the oxidation of a copper electrode. The electrolyte was regenerated by electrodeposition of cupric ions at the cathode. This work emphasizes the importance of electrodeposition from metal-containing Its and the potential for new recyclable catalysts.