Progress Using Aminosilicones for CO2 Capture

摘要

Aminosilicones have been found to be useful materials for the post-combustion capture of CO2.1 In general, they possess greater thermo-oxidative stability, lower vapor pressures, higher theoretical loading and smaller heat capacities than typical solutions of aqueous amines. Two processes have been investigated using these compounds; a solution based process using triethylene glycol (TEG) as a non-aqueous co-solvent and a phase-change procedure that converts a low viscosity liquid aminosilicone to a solid carbamate salt on exposure to CO2. However, some of the aminosilicones investigated had significantly lower thermal stability than anticipated. Also, most of the aminosilicones had larger heats of reaction than that of aqueous MEA. Recent work has explored the possibility of altering the heat of reaction by changing the nature of the amine and increasing steric hindrance around the amine. In addition, analysis into the decomposition pathways of aminosilicones has been undertaken.