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Nanoconfinement matters in humidified CO2 interaction with metal silicates

Journal Article · · Environmental Science: Nano
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/d2en00148a· OSTI ID:1893846
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [1]
  1. Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)
  2. University of Kassel (Germany)
  3. University of Kassel (Germany); University of Siegen (Germany)
  4. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

With enigmatic observations of enhanced reactivity of wet CO2-rich fluids with metal silicates, the mechanistic understanding of molecular processes governing carbonation proves critical in designing secure geological carbon sequestration and economical carbonated concrete technologies. Here, we use the first principle and classical molecular simulations to probe the impact of nanoconfinement on physicochemical processes at the rock–water–CO2 interface. We choose nanoporous calcium–silicate–hydrate (C–S–H) and forsterite (Mg2SiO4) as model metal silicate surfaces that are of significance in cement chemistry and geochemistry communities, respectively. We show that while a nanometer-thick interfacial water film persists at unsaturated conditions consistent with in situ infrared spectroscopy, the phase behavior of the water–CO2 mixture changes from its bulk counterpart depending on the surface chemistry and nanoconfinement. We also observe enhanced solubility at the interface of water and CO2 phases, which could amplify the CO2 speciation rate. Additionally, through free energy calculations, we show that CO2 could be found in a metastable state near the C–S–H surface, which can potentially react with surface water and hydroxyl groups to form carbonic acid and bicarbonate. These findings support the explicit consideration of nanoconfinement effects in reactive and non-reactive pore-scale processes.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830; SC0022301
OSTI ID:
1893846
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1884611
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-175649
Journal Information:
Environmental Science: Nano, Journal Name: Environmental Science: Nano Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 9; ISSN 2051-8153
Publisher:
Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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