Deep Eutectic Solvents for Industrial Gas Absorption: Recent Advances and Perspectives

Abstract

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as promising environmentally benign alternatives to conventional solvents, exhibiting physicochemical properties akin to ionic liquids while offering distinct advantages such as low toxicity, high biodegradability, straightforward synthesis, and low cost of raw materials. Consequently, DESs have witnessed rapid development and found diverse applications across numerous scientific and industrial fields in recent years. This review comprehensively summarizes the fundamental aspects of DESs, including their definition, key properties, and classification systems. The primary focus, however, lies in critically reviewing recent advancements in the application of DESs for gas absorption. The performance and mechanisms of DESs in capturing major target gases, specifically carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), are discussed in detail, along with their potential for absorbing other relevant gases. Based on the extensive literature surveyed, the review draws pertinent conclusions regarding the current state of DES-based gas capture technology and provides insightful perspectives on future research directions and challenges for enhancing the efficacy and applicability of DESs in this crucial environmental domain.