Carbon Sequestration Reaction Using Magnesium Silicate – A Quantum Molecular Dynamics Study

With rising greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable energy technologies have become crucial. Carbon dioxide is the most important of all greenhouse gases. It was proposed by Seifritz in 1990 [1] that carbon dioxide could be sequestered by silicate minerals resulting in the formation of carbonates. With the available technology today, it is feasible to dig up large quantities of Silicates from the Earth’s surface making this a very efficient method of carbon sequestration.

In our quantum molecular dynamics simulation study, we show the dynamics of MgCO₃ formation by reaction of hydrated carbon dioxide (H₂CO₃) with MgSiO₃. In addition to the carbonate of magnesium, the reaction also produces water and the forms Si-O-Si bonds.



This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Bioscience Division, Geosciences Program under Award DE-SC0025222.

[1] W Seifritz, CO₂ Disposal by Means of Silicates, Nature 345, 486 (1990).