A structural study of amino acid salts to elucidate their role in carbon capture

A current major challenge is the large released of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere leading to climate change. There is considerable interest in amino acid salts as an alternative solvent for the absorption of CO2 into a solvent such that carbon can be stored, and later released for useage. We aim to achieve a molecular level structural understanding to the superior performance of potassium amino acid salts compared with sodium amino acid salts, and aid in the intelligent design of future CO2 capture solvents. This will also serve as a crucial foundation to a host of future studies of carbon capture solvents, is of fundamental importance to the entire carbon capture solvent community and is particularly timely in the context of the Net Zero Strategy proposed by the UK government.