Nanofluids and Nanocomposite Membranes for Enhanced CO2 Capture: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The increasing concentration of greenhouse gasses in Earth's atmosphere is a critical concern, of which 75% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are from the combustion of fossil fuels. This rapid increase in emissions led to irredeemable damages to ecosystems, such as climate change and acid rain. As a result, industries and academia have focused on developing innovative and cost-effective technologies for CO2 capture and storage (CCS). Physical/chemical absorption using amine and membrane-based technologies is generally used in CCS systems. However, the inherent technical and cost-effective limitations of these techniques directed their attention toward applying nanotechnologies for CCS systems. Here, the researchers have focused on infusing nanoparticles (NPs) into existing CCS technologies. The NPs could either be suspended in a base fluid to create nanofluids (NFs) or infused with membrane base materials to create nanocomposite membranes for enhanced carbon capture capabilities. This review paper investigates the manufacturing methods, characterization techniques, and various mechanisms to analyze the impact of nanoparticles-infused nanofluids and nanocomposite membranes for CO2 capture. Finally, the paper summarizes the factors associated with the two technologies and then outlines the drawbacks and benefits of incorporating NPs for CCS applications.