CAPTURE : Development of Smart Materials for Reversible Low-Energy CO2 Capture
Description of the PhD project
CO₂ capture, whether from industrial sectors or directly from the atmosphere, has gained significant global attention due to the growing climate crisis. For the last decades, the most widely used CO₂ capture systems have been based on amine scrubbing technology. However, CO2 release requires high temperatures and substantial energy input, causing significant amine degradation over time. This limits the economic viability of scrubbing low-concentration CO2 sources, such as post-combustion gases and atmospheric air.
Much recent work has focused on physically and chemically supported amine-based polymers that can be regenerated under mild conditions. Many sorbents display promising CO₂ uptake capacities thanks to their high surface area. However, few studies have reported solid sorbents effective in humid environments, where water vapor competes with CO₂ for adsorption sites or condenses to block the sorbent’s pores. There is thus a need for nonvolatile sorbents that can operate reversibly under wet conditions and be regenerated at relatively low temperatures.
A promising approach by Hoshino and co-workers uses hydrogel micro- and nanoparticles that reversibly absorb and release CO2 between 30 and 75 °C. These particles are based on cross-linked copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and acrylamides with pendant tertiary amine groups. Above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the poly(NIPAm) domains, the basicity of the tertiary amines is strongly decreased due to the lower dielectric constant in the dehydrated state. This phase change enables reversible CO₂ capture at low temperatures. However, the low concentration of amine groups results in significantly lower absorption capacity per volume compared to conventional amine scrubbing, and the system lacks sufficient reactivity to capture CO₂ directly from the atmosphere.
In this PhD project, called CAPTURE, we aim to leverage the C3M laboratory’s expertise in making functional polymeric materials to dramatically enhance the CO2 capture capabilities of amine-functionalized thermo-responsive gels. We believe that introducing polyamine functions and other synergistic functional groups is essential to this new approach. This project will strongly benefit from collaboration with TotalEnergies in the frame of the PICTE joint laboratory with the ESPCI Paris - PSL, working on physical chemistry for the energy transition, as well as an international secondment focused on coupled rheological techniques.
The project will entail the synthesis of new amine-functionalized hydrogel particles via (controlled) radical polymerization, followed by a thorough study of their physicochemical, thermomechanical, rheological, and morphological properties. Assessing the pKa of the pendant amine groups as a function of composition and temperature will be key to rationalizing their behavior. Reversible CO₂ capture and release experiments will benchmark the performance of these new materials.
CAPTURE is expected to result in publications in leading scientific journals, oral presentations at national and international conferences, and potentially patent applications. Our collaboration with TotalEnergies will be critical in guiding the potential industrialization of this technology.
Keywords
CO2 absorption, functional polymers, microgels, temperature-responsiveness, phase transitions
Research Unit, UMR number and acronym
ESPCI - Laboratoire Chimie Moléculaire, Macromoléculaire, Matériaux, UMR7167, C3M
Description of the research Unit/subunit
The C3M lab develops and exploits synthetic chemistry at all scales, from molecules to materials. The unit is organized into three complementary teams, creating a continuum of well-identified and recognized expertise in molecular and macromolecular synthesis, and in the physical chemistry of soft matter. The research topics developed in the unit and the methodologies implemented reflect the broad spectrum of skills and expertise of its members. Nevertheless, they can be grouped according to generic themes, revealing thematic coherence and the possibility of synergies.
– Exploring molecular diversity : strained cycles, development of exchangeable reactions – Sustainable chemistry : catalysis with naturally abundant metals, enzymatic catalysis, photocatalysis, continuous flow chemistry, solvent-free syntheses, reactive extrusion. – Materials using dynamic covalent chemistry – Architectural systems for medicine, robotics and polymer materials – Formulation of functional colloidal gels and glasses
Name of the supervisor
Nathan VAN ZEE (nathan.van-zee@espci.psl.eu)
Name of the co-supervisor
Renaud NICOLAŸ (renaud.nicolay@espci.psl.eu)
Enric SANTANACH CARRERAS (enric.santanach-carreras@totalenergies.com)
3i Aspects of the proposal
Formal meetings with all supervisors will be organized every three to four weeks to discuss project progress. Additional meetings can be arranged at any time at the request of the Ph.D. student. Lab seminars are held weekly, and each student is expected to present once or twice a year. Team meetings are held monthly, and each student is expected to present once or twice a year.
Intersectoriality
CAPTURE will be conducted in collaboration with TotalEnergies represented by Dr. Stéphane Jouenne, CO2 Capture Project Coordinator of TotalEnergies (Pau, FR) and Dr. Enric Santanach-Carreras (HDR), researcher at the Pole d’Etudes et Recherche de Lacq (PERL). Furthermore, CAPTURE will be included in the newly-launched joint laboratory called PICTE (PhysIcoChimie pour la Transition Energétique) between TotalEnergies and several laboratories at the ESPCI Paris - PSL, of which the C3M is a founding member. The research proposed in CAPTURE perfectly addresses a key challenge targeted by the PICTE laboratory, which is to study and optimize the shaping of adsorbent materials for CO₂ capture with a focus on direct air capture (DAC) technologies. These connections with TotalEnergies will be invaluable for guiding the research, creating new scientific collaborations, and creating a stimulating environment for PhD training. The PhD candidate will have extended stays in PERL to grasp the industrial aspects of this topic.
International
CAPTURE will include an international secondment of at least one month in the laboratory of Dr. Daniele Parisi, assistant professor at the University of Groningen (NL). Our team already collaborates with Dr. Parisi in the frame of an EU doctoral network called ReBond (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01, REA Grant Agreement No. 101119786 ; https://www.rebondproject.eu/). Dr. Parisi is a recognized expert in the linear and nonlinear rheology of soft materials, and he has particular expertise in rheo Raman techniques. These experiments will be ideal for correlating the structure, viscoelasticity, and CO2 capture capabilities of the materials developed in the frame of CAPTURE.
Interdisciplinarity
The CAPTURE project is inherently interdisciplinary, traversing concepts of chemistry and physics. It entails molecular and macromolecular organic synthesis, advanced characterization techniques (which cover the chemical, physical, and mechanical aspects of the new materials), polymer processing, and engineering of CO2 capture systems.
Expected profile of the candidate
The candidate must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in molecular chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and/or polymer chemistry. A keen interest in multidisciplinary research is essential, along with a passion for conducting fundamental research at the intersection of academic and industrial interests. Practical experience in academic laboratories specializing in molecular and/or polymer chemistry would be a significant asset, as would experience in characterizing the CO₂ capture properties of materials.
Important dates
Call for applications : from September 1st to October 31st 2026
Eligibility check results : November
3i Committee evaluation results : December
Interviews from the shortlisted candidates with the Selection Committee : January 2027
Start of the PhD : March 1st 2027