Chemical Society Seminar: - Curtis Berlinguette- Reactive Carbon Capture

Abstract:

Carbon capture and utilization schemes require that CO₂ captured from the atmosphere (or a point source) be released from the sorbent, and that the sorbent be recycled to capture additional CO₂. Alkaline solutions such as KOH are effective at capturing CO₂ through reactions that form (bi)carbonates, but the recovery of CO₂ gas and hydroxide before CO₂ electrolysis requires energy-intensive steps. We have solved this problem by designing an electrochemical reactor that converts bicarbonate “reactive carbon capture solutions” into carbon-containing products. In this presentation, I will show how this reactor couples CO₂ utilization with upstream carbon capture, and also how it can perform better than the reactors fed with gaseous CO₂ that are widely studied today.

Bio:

Prof. Curtis P. Berlinguette leads a multidisciplinary team at the University of British Columbia that designs and builds electrochemical reactors to power the planet. These reactors are designed to use electricity to: (i) convert CO₂ into fuels and products¹; (ii) decarbonize the built environment²; (iii) upgrade commodity chemicals³; and (iv) drive lower temperature nuclear fusion reactions⁴. The Berlinguette program has also pioneered self-driving labs that advance clean energy materials.⁵ Dr. Berlinguette is a Distinguished University Scholar at UBC, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and a CIFAR Program Director.