Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a method to turn discarded polystyrene, such as Styrofoam cups and food packaging, into a solid amine material that can capture CO2 from smokestacks and ambient air. The process involves two chemical steps that attach amine groups to the plastic structure, creating a porous sponge for carbon dioxide. The material can be reused by heating or depressurizing it to release the captured CO2. The study, published in Chem Circularity, shows that the upcycled polystyrene performs well at both high and low CO2 concentrations. The researchers also tested using waste-derived amines from other plastics, though those were less effective. This approach could reduce plastic waste while lowering the carbon footprint of carbon capture systems, though the energy required to run the process remains the main cost.
