Kinetic and thermodynamic limitations in direct air capture: toward optimized adsorbent design and regeneration strategies
Abstract
Direct air capture (DAC) faces significant kinetic and thermodynamic challenges due to the ultra-dilute CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere (∼0.04%). Narrowing these gaps is essential for enhancing the efficiency and viability of DAC as a negative emissions technology. This review systematically explores three strategies to address these challenges: (i) optimizing the pore structure of adsorbents, (ii) incorporating surfactants, and (iii) optimizing the regeneration process. By focusing on the above strategies, this study highlights recent advancements in improving adsorption equilibrium and kinetics, and energy efficiency under DAC conditions, which provides insight for guiding future research and advancing DAC technologies.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Carbon Dioxide Capture Technologies
Adsorption and Cooling Systems
Chemical Looping and Thermochemical Processes
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 51
- Pages
- 101219–101219
- Publication date
- 9 January 2026
- Language
- EN