Analytical review of the current state of knowledge of adsorption materials and processes for direct air capture

Significant research interest has been directed towards the deployment of direct air capture (DAC) as a net-negative CO2 emissions technology to help limit global temperature rise to below 2 °C. The scope of this review is to outline the advancement of adsorption-based DAC technologies, as well as to highlight the still-existing data gaps, for both materials’ development and process design in the period 2016 – 2021. On the material side, we highlight the available and missing data on adsorbent properties in relation to what is needed for process modelling and design. We cover material densities, textural properties, thermal properties, adsorption isotherms (i.e. CO2, N2, O2, H2O), adsorption kinetics, and adsorbent stability towards humidity, oxidation, and cycling. On the process side, we provide a detailed look at key process studies conducted in the same time frame by considering the trade-offs to be expected in the design of the adsorption-based DAC process. We focus on process configuration and contactor design, desorption processes, and the need for systematic reporting of key performance indicators to allow for accurate comparisons and benchmarking. Throughout the review, we identify the lack of synergy between material and process development which must be addressed to advance the field of DAC by adsorption.