Novel CO2 Absorbents Using Lithium-Containing Oxide

We have discovered a series of lithium‐containing oxides that immediately react with ambient carbon dioxide (CO2) up to 700°C. The products react and return reversibly to the oxides at a temperatures higher than about 700°C. The absorption capacity surpasses that of other CO2 absorbents by a factor of 10. Utilizing these absorbents, the possibility of a CO2 separation system that operates at around 500°C is proposed. It is generally believed that a CO2 separation process operable at temperatures higher than 500°C has the special benefit of a small energy penalty. Moreover, the absorption also proceeds at ambient temperature in the atmospheric environment. This property offers the possibility of many other applications, such as air cleaners or cartridges. Therefore, we think these materials have the potential to make a valuable contribution to the realization of CO2 emission control.