New technology enables molecular-level insight into carbon sequestration

 

Flaviu Turcu co-invented a novel NMR system for carbon sequestration research applications with EMSL staff, David Hoyt (Principal Investigator) and Jesse Sears, and PNNL colleagues, Jian Zhi Hu and Kevin Rosso. Turcu, pictured above, holds the high-pressure MAS rotor and stands behind the high-pressure rotor loading reaction chamber pieces of the system.

Carbon sequestration is a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, but its scientific challenges are complex. Analytical tools are needed that provide information about the mineral-fluid interactions of carbon dioxide (CO2) at the molecular level.

As part of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)'s Carbon Sequestration Initiative, a team of EMSL and PNNL researchers developed and patented such a tool—a unique high-pressure magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) capability that operates in conditions characteristic of geologic carbon sequestration.

Described in the September 2011 issue of the Journal of Magnetic Resonance, this new technology consists of a reusable high-pressure MAS rotor, a high-pressure rotor loading/reaction chamber for in situ sealing and reopening of the high-pressure MAS rotor, and a MAS probe with a localized radiofrequency coil for background signal suppression.

This new capability can help determine reaction intermediates and final products that occur during mineral dissolution reactions relevant to the geologic disposal of CO2, as these researchers reported in the July 2011 issue of the International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control.

Identifying reaction intermediates is not possible using only ex situ measurements and is critical to determining the mechanisms of mineral dissolution at high pressures. This new capability has the potential to further the exploration of solid-state chemistry at new levels of high pressure and temperature in many science areas.

More information: References: Hoyt DW, RVF Turcu, JA Sears, KM Rosso, SD Burton, AR Felmy, and JZ Hu. 2011. “High-pressure Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,” Journal of Magnetic Resonance, DOI:10.1016/j.jmr.2011.07.019

Hoyt DW, JA Sears, RVF Turcu, KM Rosso, and JZ Hu. 2011. U.S. Patent submission E-16894, “Devices and Process for High-Pressure Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,” filed July 28, 2011 (provisional patent submitted December 13, 2010).

Kwak JH, JZ Hu, RVF Turcu, KM Rosso, ES Ilton, C Wang, JA Sears, MH Engelhard, AR Felmy, and DW Hoyt. 2011. "The Role of H2O in the Carbonation of Forsterite in Supercritical CO2." International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 5:1081-1092.

Provided by Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (news : web)

Molecular-level analysis of organic particles put in perspective

 

When it comes to air pollution, further development and integration of complementary analytical methods are needed to understand the effect of atmospheric particles, according to scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and University of California, Irvine. Dr. Julia Laskin and Dr. Alexander Laskin at PNNL and Prof. Sergey Nizkorodov at UCI share this other insights into the state of organic aerosol chemistry in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, March 2011. Artwork from the article graces the cover.

Air pollution by emissions related to energy production and the transportation fleet presents economic and environmental consequences. Understanding and mitigating these consequences requires answering challenging questions about the chemically complex particles emitted by these sources. By reporting on the state of the science and discussing future needs, the Laskins and Nizkorodov are providing other scientists with a solid, foundational reference.

High-resolution mass spectrometry provides researchers with the ability to characterize organic matter in aerosols and water samples. In the review article, the scientists discuss all studies published to date using high-resolution mass spectrometry to characterize aerosols and cloud water samples.

The authors also discuss new ionization techniques necessary to advance analysis of aerosol samples using high-resolution mass spectrometers, overcoming previous sample preparation limitations. One example is nanoDESI or Nanospray Desorption Electrospray Ionization. This approach provides a highly sensitive analysis of complex analytes, enabling a molecular-level understanding of the particles.

The authors also cover data analysis and visualization tools to aid in sorting through the hundreds of features on each mass spectrum. Using various tools and careful analysis, scientists are attaining solid information about the molecular composition and fundamental chemistry of particles. For example, researchers in 2010 found that N-heteroatom organic compounds produced through atmospheric aging of aerosols can contribute to the absorption of the visible light by pollutants.

More information: Nizkorodov SA, et al. 2011. "Molecular Chemistry of Organic Aerosols Through the Application of High Resolution Mass Spectrometry." Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 13(9):3612-3629. DOI: 10.1039/c0cp02032j

Provided by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (news : web)