Design and synthesis of sprayable nanocomposite coatings for carbon capture and direct conversion into environmentally safe stable carbonates

We report design and synthesis of novel polymer-based nanocomposite for carbon capture and direct conversion into carbonate using a simple drop-casting method that allows uniform mixing of multiple oxide nanoparticles in a polymer matrix. Different functional properties including reactions with carbon dioxide (CO2) and entrapping, and catalytic actions of the individual oxide nanoparticles were combined for their synergistic functions to occur in a single material system that resulted in enhanced reactions with CO2 and direct conversion of CO2 into thermodynamically favored and stable carbonates. These nanocomposites can be conveniently sprayed to coat surfaces for large-area CO2 capture and storage. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.