Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters
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Description
In closed air cabin atmospheres such as those of spacecraft, CO₂ accumulation jeopardizes crew respiratory function and may gradually affect sensitive equipment, making effective air revitalization critical. Traditional CO₂ capture methods like monoethanolamine (MEA) efficiently capture CO₂ but suffer from high volatility, leading to solvent loss and unpleasant odor, as well as corrosion and degradation, requiring frequent replacement. These flaws demand eco-friendly, durable alternatives. This study addresses these limitations by exploring a series of aqueous ionic amines (AIAs), salts similar to MEA in CO₂ capture efficiency but with improved thermal stability—crucial for preventing degradation under high regeneration temperatures and prolonged CO₂ exposure in maintenance-limited settings. Thermal stability was assessed using two complementary methods: thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) with the Flynn-Wall method for short-term measurement of decomposition rates and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for quantifying long-term chemical degradation under isothermal conditions at 200°C and 220°C over 7, 15, 30, and 60 days, with changes in color and smell also monitored as supporting indicators. Testing indicates that certain AIAs exhibit less degradation and reduced odor than others. This suggests that variations in molecular structure, resulting from different cation pairings with an amine-based anion, influence thermal stability outcomes. These findings highlight the potential of AIAs as robust and thermally stable alternatives to conventional amines. Future work will use Aspen Plus simulations to assess heat capacity, enthalpy, and CO₂ loading efficiency while optimizing process performance and operating conditions for practical applications.
Publication Date
3-2025
Department
Chemical & Biomedical Engineering
City
Mobile
Disciplines
Biochemical and Biomolecular Engineering | Chemistry | Complex Fluids | Process Control and Systems | Structures and Materials
Recommended Citation
Zang, Li Hua; Everitt, Keegan; West, Kevin; Rabideau, Brooks D.; Dobyns, Breanna; and Davis, James, "Thermal Stability Analysis of Aqueous Ionic Amines for Sustainable CO2 Capture" (2025). Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters. 17.
https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/southalabama-shgrf-posters/17
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