Desorption strategies in CO₂ capture technologies: Novel approaches and future perspectives

Abstract

Anthropogenic CO₂ emissions contribute significantly to climate change, necessitating advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) strategies. Conventional CO₂ capture relies on temperature swing adsorption (TSA) and pressure swing adsorption (PSA) to achieve desorption. Still, these approaches often entail high energy consumption, limited sorbent stability, and elevated costs. To overcome these obstacles, emerging non-conventional techniques incorporate electromagnetic, acoustic, photochemical, or electrochemical stimuli to enhance efficiency, extend sorbent lifespan, and improve product purity. Innovative approaches, such as microwave swing adsorption (MSA), magnetic induction swing adsorption (MISA), electric swing adsorption (ESA), ultrasound swing adsorption (USSA), and light induction swing adsorption (LISA), deliver localised energy-efficient regeneration. Similarly, pH swing adsorption (pHSA) exploits electrochemical gradients to release CO₂ with minimal thermal input. When coupled with sorbents like activated carbons, zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and amine-based solutions, these methods can lower thermal penalties and yield cleaner, more economical CO₂ capture. Although these techniques have not yet achieved broad commercial deployment, laboratory and pilot-scale research demonstrates their potential for reduced energy requirements and improved sorbent stability. Ongoing investigations and process optimisations are essential to advance these promising solutions toward large-scale adoption and meaningful contributions to climate mitigation.