CO₂ Capture by Zeolitic Materials

Zoom link: https://esrf.zoom.us/j/95819616314?pwd=UUBXowkw6eQjy3KphRaPDuOnVZfn2O.1

The defense will be held in French.

Selective carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture is a crucial challenge to address current environmental issues. Zeolites are microporous materials that show remarkable adsorption properties. However, in the presence of gas mixtures, a decrease in adsorption capacity and selectivity towards CO₂ is observed. In this thesis, we selected four zeolites based on their affinity for CO₂, either pure or within a mix. The different systems were studied by combining high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction at the ID22 beamline of the ESRF, Monte Carlo simulations, and volumetric adsorption measurements. The evolution of the zeolite structures was monitored in-situ as a function of the applied gas pressure, and the preferential adsorption sites for CO₂ and CH₄ were identified in each case. The zeolites were subsequently combined and exposed to gas mixtures with compositions similar to those of combustion gases and biogas, to observe their behavior in competitive environments and optimize CO₂ capture. This work contributes to a better understanding of the selective adsorption of CO₂ in zeolitic materials, with a view to applications in carbon capture and storage technologies.