Project R-15702

Capturing ammonia with natural deep eutectic solvents immobilized on monolithic activated carbon foams from waste insulation panels (Research)

Ammonia emissions are increasingly linked to tremendous losses in biodiversity and devastating health effects due to the formation of harmful secondary pollutants. Hence, there is an urgent need to capture and valorize ammonia emissions from multi-component waste streams, using cheap, nontoxic and recyclable sorbents. In this perspective, natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are put forward to efficiently accommodate ammonia through the fundamental interactions in their unique hydrogen-bonding network. The research project aims to identify the optimal NADES composition and to rationalize their sorption capacity, kinetics, stability and moisture-sensitivity. The efficient ammonia uptake by the viscous NADES will be facilitated by impregnation on activated carbon foam monoliths produced from phenol-formaldehyde insulation waste panels, giving the project a supplementary circular dimension. The carbon foam pore size distribution, mechanical robustness and surface properties will be intensively investigated to accommodate the envisioned ammonia scrubbing application, and full attention will be given to the recovery of both the absorbent and the adsorbent. Here, a crucial breakthrough is expected from the in-operando viscosity decrease upon formation of the ammonia-loaded ternary solvents. This unprecedented combination of NADES and tailored AC foam monoliths is expected to pave the way for subsequent gas emission valorization and remediation routes.

01 June 2025 - 31 May 2029