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Engineering reactive interfaces to capture, mineralize and valorize carbon dioxide
Engineering reactive interfaces to capture, mineralize and valorize carbon dioxide
The Challenge
The Challenge
Reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations requires approaches that go beyond emissions reduction. Carbon capture, utilization and storage can contribute to carbon management, but their wider deployment depends on developing efficient capture processes, stable storage mechanisms and pathways that make use of captured carbon.
We focus on the reactive interfaces where carbon dioxide interacts with minerals, polymers and other materials, because these interfaces determine how efficiently carbon dioxide can be captured, transported and transformed.
What We Investigate
What We Investigate
How can sustainable materials efficiently adsorb carbon dioxide?
How can sustainable materials efficiently adsorb carbon dioxide?
We investigate porous and carbon-based materials, including materials derived from biomass and waste, for their ability to capture carbon dioxide efficiently and selectively. We study how material composition, surface properties and porosity influence carbon dioxide adsorption and the potential for regeneration and reuse.
How can reactive interfaces accelerate and control carbonate formation?
How can reactive interfaces accelerate and control carbonate formation?
We investigate the reactions and interactions at mineral–fluid and organic–inorganic interfaces that govern carbon dioxide mineralization and carbonate formation. By understanding how surface chemistry, solution conditions and interfaces influence nucleation and crystal growth, we seek to control the formation and properties of carbonate phases.
How can captured carbon dioxide be transformed into functional carbonate fillers?
How can captured carbon dioxide be transformed into functional carbonate fillers?
We explore how captured carbon dioxide can be mineralized into carbonate materials with controlled composition, morphology and properties. Our research aims to transform carbon dioxide from a waste stream into functional fillers that can contribute to the performance and sustainability of advanced materials.
Can waste- and bio-derived materials contribute to carbon capture while creating useful products?
Can waste- and bio-derived materials contribute to carbon capture while creating useful products?
We investigate whether biomass-derived and waste-derived materials can serve as sustainable feedstocks for carbon dioxide capture and conversion. By combining carbon management with resource valorization, we aim to develop approaches that reduce waste, minimize reliance on primary resources and generate materials with useful functions.
Our Research Approach
Our Research Approach
Our research centres on understanding and controlling the reactive interfaces that govern carbon dioxide capture and mineralization. We investigate interfacial processes including adsorption, dissolution, nucleation and crystal growth, and examine how surface chemistry, solution composition and organic–inorganic interactions influence these processes.
By combining experimental studies with materials design and characterization, we translate this interfacial understanding into functional and sustainable materials. This includes exploring minerals, polymers and bio- and waste-derived materials for carbon dioxide capture, mineralization and utilization.
Research Examples and Projects
Research Examples and Projects
Converting PCB waste to porous carbons for carbon dioxide adsorption
Converting PCB waste to porous carbons for carbon dioxide adsorption
Carbon dioxide removal via enhanced rock weathering
Carbon dioxide removal via enhanced rock weathering
Integrated carbon dioxide capture and bio-inspired mineralization
Integrated carbon dioxide capture and bio-inspired mineralization
Research Capabilities
Research Capabilities
Our research combines materials synthesis, carbon dioxide capture and mineralization experiments with chemical, structural and surface characterization. We investigate carbon dioxide adsorption, fluid–mineral interactions, carbonate formation and the properties of the resulting materials, using complementary experimental approaches to connect interfacial processes with material structure and performance.
Mineralization
Mineralization
Material characterization
Material characterization
Functional material assessment
Functional material assessment
Selected Publications
Selected Publications
Liu, J., Yin, W., Wang, Y., Yang, B., Fan, G., Han, H., Sun, H., Yao, J., Zhang, Z., Vandeginste, V. (2026)
Brucite waste to spindle-shaped hydrophobic anhydrous MgCO3: A one-pot green synthesis and in-situ modification strategy using L-ascorbic acid and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane
Chemical Engineering Journal, 547, 180732
Madhav, D., Hautekeete, D., Thielemans, W., Desplentere, F., Moldenaers, P. and Vandeginste, V. (2025)
Effects of operating parameters on CaCO3 crystal properties during an integrated CO2 capture and mineralization process
Chemical Engineering Journal, 520, 166002
Rubel, J., Guo, X., Madhav, D., Verslype, S., Zhang, J., Ji, Y., Eliasova, P., Vandeginste, V. (2025)
Modified porous carbon from waste printed circuit boards for enhanced adsorption of carbon dioxide in abandoned mines
Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 13 (2), 115790
Vandeginste, V., Lim, C., Ji, Y. (2024)
Exploratory review on environmental aspects of enhanced weathering as a carbon dioxide removal method
Minerals, 14, 75
Madhav, D., Coppitters, T., Ji, Y., Thielemans, W., Desplentere, F., Moldenaers, P. and Vandeginste, V. (2023)
Amino acid promoted single-step carbon dioxide capture and mineralization integrated with polymer-mediated crystallization of carbonates
Journal of Cleaner Production, 415, 137845
People Involved
People Involved
Jiayi Liu
Visiting PhD researcher
Prof. Veerle Vandeginste
Principal Investigator
Interested in this Research?
Interested in this Research?
iR - interfacial engineering Research group
Prof. dr. Veerle VandeginsteKU Leuven, Department of Materials Engineering, Functional MaterialsiR - interfacial engineering Research group
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