Precursor engineering of hydrotalcite-derived redox sorbents for reversible and stable thermochemical oxygen storage

Chemical looping processes based on multiple-step reduction and oxidation of metal oxides hold great promise for a variety of energy applications, such as CO2 capture and conversion, gas separation, energy storage, and redox catalytic processes. Copper-based mixed oxides are one of the most promising candidate materials with a high oxygen storage capacity. However, the structural deterioration and sintering at high temperatures is one key scientific challenge. Herein, we report a precursor engineering approach to prepare durable copper-based redox sorbents for use in thermochemical looping processes for combustion and gas purification. Calcination of the CuMgAl hydrotalcite precursors formed mixed metal oxides consisting of CuO nanoparticles dispersed in the Mg-Al oxide support which inhibited the formation of copper aluminates during redox cycling. The copper-based redox sorbents demonstrated enhanced reaction rates, stable O-2 storage capacity over 500 redox cycles at 900 degrees C, and efficient gas purification over a broad temperature range. We expect that our materials design strategy has broad implications on synthesis and engineering of mixed metal oxides for a range of thermochemical processes and redox catalytic applications. Thermochemical redox reactions of metal oxides are promising for CO2 capture, gas purification, air separation, and energy storage. Here, the authors report mixed metal oxides derived from layered double hydroxides precursors, and demonstrate their reversible and stable thermochemical oxygen storage.

Automated summary

This study reports the preparation of durable copper-based redox sorbents using a precursor engineering approach for thermochemical looping processes. The redox sorbents showed enhanced reaction rates, stable oxygen storage capacity, and efficient gas purification over a broad temperature range.