Implementing vanadium peroxides as direct air carbon capture materials.

Direct air capture (DAC) removal of anthropogenic CO from the atmosphere is imperative to slow the catastrophic effects of global climate change. Numerous materials are being investigated, including various alkaline inorganic metal oxides that form carbonates DAC. Here we explore metastable early d transition metal peroxide molecules that undergo stabilization multiple routes, including DAC. Specifically here, we describe experiment and computation the mechanistic conversion of AV(O) (tetraperoxovanadate, A = K, Rb, Cs) to first a monocarbonate VO(O)(CO), and ultimately HKCO plus KVO. Single crystal X-ray structures of rubidium and cesium tetraperoxovanadate are reported here for the first time, likely prior-challenged by instability. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), V solid state NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), tandem thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TGA-MS) along with calculations (DFT, density functional theory) all converge on mechanisms of CO capture and release that involve the vanadium centre, despite the end product of a 300 days study being bicarbonate and metavanadate. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy along with a wet chemical assay and computational studies evidence the presense of ∼5% adventitous superoxide, likely formed by peroxide reduction of vanadium, which also stabilizes the reaction with CO. The alkalis have a profound effect on the stability of the peroxovanadate compounds, stability trending K > Rb > Cs. While this translates to more rapid CO capture with heavier alkalis, it does not necessarily lead to capture of more CO. All compounds capture approximately two equivalents CO per vanadium centre. We cannot yet explain the reactivity trend of the alkali peroxovanadates, because any change in speciation of the alkalis from reactions to product is not quantifiable. This study sets the stage for understanding and implementing transition metal peroxide species, including peroxide-functionalized metal oxides, for DAC.