Scientists Decode the Chemistry of Carbon Capture

First atomic-level view of capture solvents could reduce energy use and improve economics for Canada’s growing CCUS sector

13 Mar 2026

Scientists have mapped the atomic structure of carbon capture solvents for the first time, a development that could lower the cost of removing carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and support expansion of carbon capture projects.

Researchers at the University of Leeds, working with carbon capture technology company C-Capture, published the findings on March 12 in Nature Communications. The team used neutron diffraction, a technique that reveals how atoms are arranged in liquids, to analyse two amino acid salt solvents before and after they absorbed CO₂.

The work provides the first atomically resolved picture of how these solvents behave during the carbon capture process.

The result could address one of the main cost drivers in carbon capture systems. In most facilities, solvents must be heated to release the captured CO₂ so they can be reused. This regeneration step requires significant energy and adds to operating costs.

By understanding how molecules interact inside the solvent during absorption and release, researchers say future solvent formulations could be designed to require less energy for regeneration. That could reduce the cost per tonne of CO₂ captured and improve the commercial case for large-scale projects.

Amino acid salt solvents are attracting attention as alternatives to conventional capture chemicals because they are more stable and less likely to degrade during repeated heating cycles.

The Leeds researchers also demonstrated that neutron diffraction can be used to study other solvent systems, potentially creating a broader analytical platform for improving capture chemistry.

The findings come as carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects move from planning to construction in several regions, including Canada’s western provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Industries including oil sands, cement production, hydrogen and pulp and paper rely on post-combustion capture technologies where solvent performance directly affects costs. Lower regeneration energy would reduce operating expenses and strengthen the economics of new facilities and expansions.

The researchers said the method could enable a more data-driven approach to solvent design, replacing trial-and-error experimentation with molecular-level engineering as governments and companies expand carbon capture capacity.