Atmospheric CO₂ capture for the artificial photosynthetic system

¹ Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. dels Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
² Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza, Chemistry Faculty, ul. Umultowska 89B, 61-614 Poznań, Poland

^* Corresponding author: adrianna.nogalska@urv.cat

Abstract

The scope of these studies is to evaluate the ambient CO₂ capture abilities of the membrane contactor system in the same conditions as leaves works during photosynthesis, such as ambient temperature, pressure and low CO₂ concentration, where the only driving force is the concentration gradient. The polysulfone membrane was made by phase inversion process and characterized by ESEM micrographs which were used to determine the thickness, asymmetry and pore size. Besides, the porosity of the membrane was measured from the membrane and polysulfone density correlation and hydrophobicity was analyzed by contact angle measurements. Moreover, the compatibility of the membrane and absorbent solution was evaluated, in order to exclude wetting issues. The prepared membranes were introduced in a cross flow module and used as contactor between the CO₂ and the potassium hydroxide solution, as absorbing media. The influence of the membrane thickness, absorbent stirring rate and absorption time, on CO₂ capture were evaluated. The results show that the efficiency of our CO₂ capture system is similar to stomatal carbon dioxide assimilation rate.