In Situ Infrared Spectroscopic Study of Forsterite Carbonation in Wet Supercritical CO₂

Carbonation reactions are central to the prospect of CO(2) trapping by mineralization in geologic reservoirs. In contrast to the relevant aqueous-mediated reactions, little is known about the propensity for carbonation in the key partner fluid: supercritical carbon dioxide containing dissolved water ("wet" scCO(2)). We employed in situ mid-infrared spectroscopy to follow the reaction of a model silicate mineral (forsterite, Mg(2)SiO(4)) for 24 h with wet scCO(2) at 50 °C and 180 atm. The results show a dramatic dependence of reactivity on water concentration and the presence of liquid water on the forsterite particles. Exposure to neat scCO(2) showed no detectable carbonation reaction. At 47% and 81% water saturation, an Ångstrom-thick liquid-like water film was detected on the forsterite particles and less than 1% of the forsterite transformed. Most of the reaction occurred within the first 3 h of exposure to the fluid. In experiments at 95% saturation and with an excess of water (36% above water saturation), a nanometer-thick water film was detected, and the carbonation reaction proceeded continuously with approximately 2% and 10% conversion, respectively. Our collective results suggest constitutive links between water concentration, water film formation, reaction rate and extent, and reaction products in wet scCO(2).