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Designer Carbon Materials Enable CO2 Release Below 60 Degrees Celsius

Researchers at Chiba University have created nitrogen‑doped carbon adsorbents called viciazites that release captured CO₂ at temperatures below 60 °C, far lower than the >100 °C needed for conventional amine scrubbing. By positioning nitrogen functional groups adjacently on the carbon surface, the team achieved up to 82 % selectivity for specific configurations, notably adjacent primary amines. The low‑temperature desorption enables the use of industrial waste heat, potentially slashing the energy cost of carbon‑capture cycles. The study also highlights trade‑offs between regeneration temperature and material durability across different nitrogen pairings.