Sorbent Regeneration via Radiofrequency-Assisted Dielectric Heating for Direct Air Capture of CO₂

Direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 is a negative emission technology that utilizes sorbents requiring a regeneration step for repeated ab(/d)sorption–desorption cycles. Here we report an unconventional approach to desorb captured CO2 from a porous sorbent using radiofrequency (RF) irradiation for dielectric heating and targeted energy transfer, thus enabling modularity and promoting renewable energy input. Regeneration of composites of functional ionic liquid and metal–organic framework with high CO2 capacity and enhanced transport is demonstrated under conditions relevant to DAC. RF-assisted dielectric heating at the megahertz frequency range shows effective absorption of electromagnetic energy and consequently rapid release of the captured CO2.