C4C-Capture

C4C-Capture (Carbon for Carbon Capture) is a research project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency of Ireland (EPA). The project develops amine-functionalised activated carbons derived from Irish biowaste as sustainable sorbents for direct air capture (DAC) of CO₂.

Our Approach

Biowaste feedstocks are carbonised and activated to produce porous carbons with high surface areas, which are subsequently functionalised with amines. The amine groups chemisorb CO₂ selectively at the low partial pressures found in ambient air (ca. 420 ppm). Our research focuses on two key parameters:

  • CO₂ sorption capacity: maximising CO₂ uptake per unit mass of sorbent under DAC-relevant conditions.
  • Nitrogen content: maximising the density of accessible amine sites within the porous carbon framework.

In contrast to the petrochemical polymer sorbents currently used in DAC, carbon-based sorbents offer high thermal conductivity, enabling more efficient heat transfer during temperature-vacuum swing adsorption (TVSA) regeneration and lowering the energy required for CO₂ desorption.

A Circular Bioeconomy for Ireland

Life-cycle assessments guide the choice of feedstocks and synthetic routes to minimise the carbon footprint of sorbent production. Combined with an assessment of Ireland’s biowaste resources, these will inform a policy guidance report for the EPA on the valorisation of biowaste within an Irish circular carbon economy.

Project News

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Associated Publications

Project Team

This project is funded under the EPA Research Programme 2021–2030. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.

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