Direct CO2 Capture by Alkali-Dissolved Cellulose and Sequestration in Building Materials and Artificial Reef Structures

Guillermo Reyes; Mabel Vega-Coloma; Anna Antonova; Rubina Ajdary; Solène Jonveaux; Colleen Flanigan; Nathalie Lautenbacher; Orlando J Rojas

doi:10.1002/adma.202209327

Direct CO₂ Capture by Alkali-Dissolved Cellulose and Sequestration in Building Materials and Artificial Reef Structures

Adv Mater. 2023 Mar;35(11):e2209327. doi: 10.1002/adma.202209327. Epub 2023 Jan 26.

Authors

Guillermo Reyes¹, Mabel Vega-Coloma², Anna Antonova³, Rubina Ajdary¹, Solène Jonveaux⁴, Colleen Flanigan⁵, Nathalie Lautenbacher⁶, Orlando J Rojas^{1

7}

Affiliations

¹ Biobased Colloids and Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, FI-00076, Finland.
² Departamento de Ingeniería en Maderas, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Av. Collao 1202, Casilla 5-C, Concepción, 4081112, Chile.
³ Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4 A, Otaniemi, Espoo, 02150, Finland.
⁴ Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1K 2R1, Canada.
⁵ Zoe - A Living Sea Sculpture in Cozumel, Av. Rafael E. Melgar, San Miguel de Cozumel, Q.R., 77688, Mexico.
⁶ Department of Design, Aalto University, Otaniementie 14, Otaniemi, Espoo, 02150, Finland.
⁷ Bioproducts Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Department of Wood Science, The University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.

PMID: 36516448
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202209327

Abstract

Current carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies require high energy input and costly catalysts. Here, an effective pathway is offered that addresses climate action by atmospheric CO₂ sequestration. Industrially relevant highly reactive alkali cellulose solutions are used as CO₂ absorption media. The latter lead to mineralized cellulose materials (MCM) at a tailorable cellulose-to-mineral ratio, forming organic-inorganic viscous systems (viscosity from 10² to 10⁷ mPa s and storage modulus from 10 to 10⁵ Pa). CO₂ absorption and conversion into calcium carbonate and associated minerals translate to maximum absorption of 6.5 gCO₂ g_cellulose ^-1 , tracking inversely with cellulose loading. Cellulose lean gels are easily converted into dry powders, shown as a functional component of ceramic glazes and cementitious composites. Meanwhile, cellulose-rich gels are moldable and extrudable, yielding stone-like structures tested as artificial substrates for coral reef restoration. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) suggests new CCU opportunities for building materials, as demonstrated in underwater deployment for coral reef ecosystem restoration.

Keywords: CO 2 sequestration; additive manufacture; alkali cellulose; building materials; mineralization.

Abstract

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