Metal Organic Framework Porous Liquids for Integrated CO 2 Capture and Conversion

ABSTRACT Integrated selective capture and conversion of CO 2 to high‐value products is a highly energy‐efficient and realistic strategy toward a carbon‐neutral future. Inspired by nature, we have rationally designed type‐III Porous Liquids (PLs) using carbonic anhydrase (CA) mimicking ZIF‐8 and Good's buffer‐based ionic liquid (IL) for highly efficient integrated selective capture and conversion of CO 2 under practical conditions. The PLs exhibit remarkable selectivity and uptake capacity for CO 2 , among the highest reported for ZIF‐8 based type‐III PLs. The superior capture performance is ascribed to the molecular sieving effect and retention of high porosity in PL, further aided by the fluid media enabling both physi‐ and chemisorption storage pathways and high mass transport. The PLs catalyse CO 2 hydration, and the pore‐encapsulated CO 2 and bicarbonate are in dynamic equilibrium. The captured CO 2 is subsequently converted to CaCO 3 in high yield. As against CA, the PLs are more tolerant to reaction conditions and showed better performance. Remarkably, PLs selectively capture and convert CO 2 from simulated flue gas (15% CO 2 ) and ambient air (0.04% CO 2 ), a highly desirable yet unexplored application. The study demonstrates PLs as a modular material for integrated CO 2 capture and catalytic conversion under practical conditions for a sustainable closed loop carbon economy.