Test whether often ignored reactions are relevant for a new carbon capture technology.
It is well established that the release of CO2 into the atmosphere during the past century has negatively impacted the global climate. Carbon capture is necessary to minimize CO2 releases as we transition to a society less reliant on fossil fuels and, eventually, to remove historic CO2 releases directly from the air or ocean.
Most of the data and studies of carbon capture reactions are relevant to the standard heat-driven carbon capture process. Electrochemical carbon capture has been shown to be more energy efficient and only requires ambient conditions, making it safer and cheaper. However, it is unclear how well the literature data on specific CO2 capture reactions for the heat-driven process apply to this new technology due to the different operating conditions. This project focuses on specific reactions ignored by the heat-driven process that are expected to be relevant for the wider pH range, higher salinity, and higher metal concentrations used in electrochemical carbon capture. Reactions of interest include the acid/base chemistry of carbamic acid intermediates and the phase separation of sorbents and sorbent-metal complexes. Each student will collect and analyze data from both the literature and experiments to determine how important one specific type of reaction is during an electrochemical carbon capture process cycle. These data will be used to support work in designing a safer and more efficient electrochemical carbon capture process.
These hands-on, applied activities will prepare students for jobs, internships, or graduate programs by developing critical thinking and problem solving skills through the following specific outcomes:
Length of commitment | About a semester; 3-5 months |
Start time | Spring (January/February 2025) Summer (May/June of 2025) |
In-person, remote, or hybrid? | In-Person Project (can only function with in-person engagement) |
Level of collaboration | Individual Student Project |
Benefits | Stipend |
Who is eligible | Sophomore & Junior students with at least 2 semesters of laboratory-based chemistry experience |
Johnathan Boualavong
Assistant Professor
Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering
Phone: (716) 645-0977
Email: jboualav@buffalo.edu
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
Students should complete the UB EHS lab safety training before the project. Link: https://www.buffalo.edu/administrative-services/training/training-catalog/Facilities/laboratory-safety.html
climate change, carbon capture, electrochemistry, environmental engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Department