ORNL's Charles Seipp synthesized a simple compound known as guanidine that was found to bind strongly with carbon dioxide directly from the air and form insoluble carbonate crystals that are easily separated from water.
Using X-ray diffraction, ORNL's Radu Custelcean analyzed the molecular structure of the simple guanidine compound and was surprised to find carbonate, a crystal that forms when carbon dioxide from air reacts with water.
ORNL researchers Radu Custelcean and Charles Seipp study crystals that had absorbed carbon dioxide from ambient air. This simple compound would require minimal energy and chemical input if used in existing carbon capture and release strategies.
When an aqueous solution of a simple guanidine compound was open to air, beautiful prism-like crystals started to form as the material absorbed carbon dioxide.