Amine-Based Ionic Liquid for CO₂ Capture and Electrochemical or Thermal Regeneration

An ethylenediamine-functionalized ionic liquid (IL) was synthesized for CO 2 capture from industrial gases, with good CO 2 absorption capacity of around 0.95 mmol (42 mg) of CO 2 /g of IL at 35 °C. In contrast to conventional gas desorption via utilization of an energy intensive thermal swing, CO 2 was released on competitive complexation of the amines with cupric ions introduced to the ionic liquid electrolyte by the oxidation of a copper electrode. The electrolyte was regenerated by electrodeposition of cupric ions at the cathode. This work emphasizes the importance of electrodeposition from metal-containing ILs and the potential for new recyclable catalysts.