GISAXS-SAXS studies of silicate dissolution reaction: a model reaction for enhanced SiO2 dissolution

Natural processes have regulated atmospheric CO2 concentrations over geologic time and may be exploited to reduce the human-induced carbon footprint by accelerating the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. However, the poor knowledge on the mechanisms of silica layer formation during silicate carbonation and the slow kinetics of this process affects significantly the effective implementation of CO2 capture and storage strategies. This proposal aims to elucidate the mechanisms of silica layer formation and the study of catalysis using biomimetic enzymes (MOF) in forsterite and wollastonite. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments will be performed to probe interfacial carbonation reactions. The results will be crucial to understand the structure-reactivity relationships in the minerals with the long-term goal of inhibiting passivating reactions and to design strategies for enhancing the carbonation step and its implementation as industrial process.