A mechanochemical process to capture and separate carbon dioxide from natural gas using boron nitride nanosheets

Addressing climate change is a critical and pressing matter that requires immediate attention to mitigate its severe repercussions. In order to enhance the capture and separation of carbon dioxide from natural gas and nitrogen gas, it is imperative to develop new capture materials and more efficient storage processes. In this study, we introduce an innovative environmentally friendly storage and separation technique. Through a controlled mechanochemical process, a substantial amount of carbon dioxide (103.6 wt%) was successfully captured within boron nitride. This process also excels at effectively isolating carbon dioxide from a gas mixture containing natural gas (CH₄) or nitrogen due to its superior adsorption selectivity for CO₂ over the other two gases. The stored carbon dioxide can be released upon heating, and this procedure can be repeated several times (minimum four times), indicating a game changing process in CO₂ gas capture and separation technology with the advantages of green, low cost and efficiency.