Shape-shifting, organic crystals open an entirely new pathway for CO2-capture
Researchers at the Department of Chemistry, have discovered a new, energy‑efficient carbon‑capture method that uses the dynamic behavior of nonporous organic crystals to selectively absorb and release CO2—opening a promising pathway toward scalable, next‑generation climate solutions.
CORC-researchers at the University of Copenhagen (KU) have found a new, energy-efficient way to capture CO2 by harnessing the power of ‘shape-shifting’ in organic crystal structures.
A new method of carbon-capture will pave the way for a paradigm shift toward more sustainable, cost-effective CO2 capture solutions. Postdoc Aleksa Petrovic, alongside postdoc Rodrigo Jose da Silva Lima and colleagues from Professor & CORC PI Jiwoong Lee’s group at UCPH have found a novel way to harness ‘chain-melting’ in nonporous crystals to effectively capture and easily release CO2.
“Our findings go beyond improving CO2 capture. They show that CO2 can actively trigger changes in a material’s crystal structure - a feature we can now use as a design tool. This opens the door to applying our concept in many different settings and with a wide range of organic materials,” Aleksa Petrovic says.
The article has been published in Nature Communications, and it provides an important and groundbreaking alternative to traditional, state-of-the-art carbon capture methods.
Going forward, the next steps focus on achieving the scalability of the technology, while working together with engineers to also examine the design and use-cases of the crystals in different settings.
Read the paper in Nature Communications
Congratulations Jiwoong Lee, Rodrigo José da Silva Lima, Gul Barg Hadaf Aleksa Petrovic, Adedeji A. Adelodun & Arianna E. Lanza