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DOE OSTI · 2885866

Comprehensive structural characterization of charged polymers involved in moisture-driven direct air capture

Yogaganeshan, Gayathri [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000327837946)·Zhang, Rui [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000308405056)·Najaf Tomaraei, Golnaz·Fromme, Raimund [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000348351080)·Sharang, Sharang [Tescan USA Inc., Warrendale, PA (United States)]·Ford, Jamie [UPENN, Philadelphia, PA (United States)]·Yates, Douglas M. [UPENN, Philadelphia, PA (United States)]·Medel, Marlene Velazco [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000236916884)·Uher, Martin [Tescan Group a.s., Brno (Czech Republic)]·Zacks, Michele [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000342777689)·Flory, Justin [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000197869092)·Wade, Jennifer [NAU, Flagstaff, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000183727800)·Fromme, Petra [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000309534909)
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Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive structural characterization of commercially available alkaline anion-exchange polymers (Fumasep FAA-3 and IRA 900) used in moisture-driven direct air capture (DAC) of carbon dioxide. Using X-ray diffraction, SAXS/WAXS, atomic force microscopy, FIB-SEM, and transmission electron microscopy, the authors identify nanoscale clustering, porosity, swelling behavior, and humidity-dependent structural changes that influence CO₂ adsorption and release. These findings establish structure–function relationships critical for designing more durable and energy-efficient DAC polymer materials.

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRYCO2 sorptionIRA 900anion exchange membranesatomic force microscopydirect air capturefumasep FAA-3moisture swing

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Yogaganeshan, Gayathri [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000327837946), Zhang, Rui [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000308405056), Najaf Tomaraei, Golnaz, Fromme, Raimund [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000348351080), Sharang, Sharang [Tescan USA Inc., Warrendale, PA (United States)], Ford, Jamie [UPENN, Philadelphia, PA (United States)], Yates, Douglas M. [UPENN, Philadelphia, PA (United States)], Medel, Marlene Velazco [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000236916884), Uher, Martin [Tescan Group a.s., Brno (Czech Republic)], Zacks, Michele [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000342777689), Flory, Justin [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000197869092), Wade, Jennifer [NAU, Flagstaff, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000183727800), Fromme, Petra [Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ (United States)] (ORCID:0000000309534909). 2026-02-21. Comprehensive structural characterization of charged polymers involved in moisture-driven direct air capture. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2026.103465

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE subject37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY subjectAtomic force microscopy subjectCO2 sorption subjectDirect Air Capture subjectIRA 900 subjectanion exchange membranes subjectfumasep FAA-3 subjectmoisture swing subject

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DOE OSTI2026

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The transition to a flexible and reliable energy infrastructure, using electro-thermal energy generation technologies such as geothermal, concentrated solar power, and nuclear, usually demands simultaneous advancement of thermal energy storage (TES) to support on-demand electricity generation and industrial applications while mitigating the inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources and power outages from direct energy generation. Among TES technologies, thermochemical energy storage (TCES) based on calcium looping emerges as a compelling high-power energy storage candidate due to its high reaction enthalpy, compatibility with elevated operating temperatures, and abundance of low-cost materials. However, the long-term durability of calcium-based sorbents for TCES is hindered by surface sintering and particle aggregation, leading to performance degradation over repeated thermal cycles. This study explores a moisture hydration-based strategy to regenerate a degraded calcium sorbent and mitigate performance degradation for long duration TCES. The addition of moisture transforms calcium oxide into calcium hydroxide and produces intercalation water layers, associated with a regenerated surface area and reduced calcium oxide crystallite size. Both these effects are beneficial in restoring the sorbents' reactivity for carbonization. Additionally, an optimized hydration-assisted reactivation protocol balances the recovered energy storage capacity with heating penalty required for moisture removal from hydrated samples, resulting in an enhanced energy storage capacity up to 176% compared to benchmark sorbents that undergo cycling without reactivation after 60 cycles. In conclusion, these results highlight the potential of hydration-assisted reactivation to enhance the long-term performance of TCES, providing an effective pathway to advancing electro-thermal storage technologies.

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