FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers develop biomass-based polymer that can absorb and release carbon dioxide

In Florida, Florida State University (FSU) said that a new, biomass-based material developed by FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers can be used to repeatedly capture and release carbon dioxide.

The material is primarily made from lignin, an organic molecule that is a main component of wood and other plants, and it can take up carbon dioxide (CO2) from concentrated sources or directly from the air, FSU said.

“The beauty of this work is the ability to precisely control the capture and release of CO2 without high pressure or extreme temperatures,” said study co-author Hoyong Chung, an associate professor in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. “Our testing showed that this material’s structure stayed the same even after being used multiple times, making this a promising tool for mitigating carbon emissions.”

In previous research, Chung’s team developed a lignin and CO2-based polymer that represented a potential alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastic. This paper takes that research further, showing the possibility of reversing the process and of reusing the material to absorb CO2 again in the future.

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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