Catalyzed absorption of CO2 capture solvents: relationships between surface states and active species during the catalyzed absorption steps

The global temperature difference between the pre-industrial era and the last ice age was 6°C. Given the +4°C projected by 2100 under current trends, the Paris Agreement leaves only one generation to deploy the 'Sobriety, Efficiency, Technology' triad. This applied research project focuses on the 'Technology' pillar.
Achieving this requires a technological breakthrough toward more efficient, optimized CO₂ capture systems with minimized energy footprints, that go beyond conventional processes (amine scrubbing). One identified breakthrough technology enabling the intensification and acceleration of capture deployment involves the use of rotating contactors (Rotating Packed Bed), which reduce residence times to few seconds. This breakthrough technology requires the development of new separation agents compatible with these new contactors. In this project, we propose to study how catalysts can be combined with solvents to push the boundaries of conventional chemical kinetics for CO2 capture.
The research will begin at ULCO with the synthesis and selection of catalytic materials featuring tunable textural and physicochemical properties. The goal is to elucidate structure-property relationships and understand the interaction mechanisms governing catalyst/solvent complementarity.
At IFPEN (Solaize), CO₂ absorption measurements will be conducted in a three-phase (G/L/S) reactor to quantify catalytic performance under dynamic conditions. Ex-situ characterization and operando speciation at the interfaces will be used to identify reaction intermediates and optimize material/solvent pairings.
Finally, a global G/L/S kinetic model will be developed to identify limiting regimes and characteristic time scales, paving the way for the design of highly intensified carbon capture processes.

Keywords: CO2 capture, CCUS, catalysis, absorption, kinetics, materials, intensified process, breakthrough

• Academic supervisor    Dr. Christophe POUPIN, ULCO, ORCID: 0000-0002-7940-5128
• Doctoral School    ED 585 : EDSTS (Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale), https://www.univ-littoral.fr/
• IFPEN supervisor    Dr. Guillaume PÉTAUD, ORCID : 0000-0002-3227-8563
• PhD location    IFP Energies nouvelles, Lyon, France
• Duration and start date    3 years, starting in the fourth quarter 2026 (Novembre 2)
• Employer    IFPEN
• Academic requirements    Engineer or Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry   
• Language requirements    English level B2 (CEFR) and French level A2 (CEFR) desirable  
• Other requirements    Knowledge in CO2 chemistry and catalysis and/or kinetic modeling.

To apply, please send your cover letter and CV to the IFPEN supervisor indicated here below.