September 14, 2026 — Southwest Research Institute is evaluating an emerging method for reactive carbon capture, a simplified process for turning carbon waste into value-added products. The method involves the use of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) that rely on hydrogen bonding, a natural phenomenon that links chemicals such as water, proteins and DNA.
“Using this special class of solvent allows us to tap into complex hydrogen bonding interactions,” said Miles Salas, a scientist at SwRI. “What’s truly exciting is the versatility. By playing with the ratio or composition of these DES mixtures, we can selectively tune them to achieve high performance in various applications. We can tune the reaction for separations, electrochemical pathways or as green alternatives to traditional solvents widely used in manufacturing and other industries.”
To create a DES, scientists mix a hydrogen-bond-accepting salt component that conducts electricity with another solid ingredient, such as urea or glycerol. This forms hydrogen bonds that turn solids into a liquid at room temperature. When hydrogen bonding occurs, the molecules attract each other, almost magnetically. Once combined, scientists can use a variety of processes, such as electrochemical reactions, to separate the captured carbon into new configurations. The process can create a multitude of useful and valuable commercial chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, syngas, methanol, formate or even green hydrogen. These byproducts can support manufacturing, energy, synthetic fuel, agriculture and other industrial applications.
“We are evaluating these processes under real-world conditions, accounting for the various impurities seen in industrial settings. Up until this point, DESs for reactive carbon capture has been primarily explored using pure CO2 and only in the context of academic research,” said Michael Hartmann, manager of SwRI’s Carbon Capture and Utilization Section. “Through research, modeling and bench-scale testing, we are building the data needed to demonstrate this technology and its potential commercial viability.”
With lower melting points than their individual precursor components, DESs can eliminate flammability hazards and minimize toxicity concerns. Scientists can also modify the DES composition to meet various applications. SwRI scientists will first assess the capacity of various DES mixtures for performance. Then, the team will narrow down the most effective compositions and evaluate the best separation methods or electrochemical pathways for reactive carbon capture.
This project was funded through SwRI’s Internal Research and Development program, which develops future-focused, unproven concepts to advance technology for government and industry clients. In fiscal year 2025, SwRI invested more than $13 million to fund new and continuing IR&D projects to pioneer new technologies, expand institutional knowledge and capabilities and encourage the professional growth of its staff.
Watch a time-lapse of two solids forming a liquid to create a deep eutectic solvent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGl-6Swzz-s
For more information, visit Carbon Capture Utilization (CCU) Technology or contact Camaron Brooks, +1 210 522 2357, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238-5166.