Andromeda Metals research JV shows halloysite-derived carbon nanomaterials have strong adsorption potential and recyclability for carbon capture and conversion

Andromeda Metals Ltd’s (ASX:ADN) research and commercialisation joint-venture with Minotaur Exploration Ltd (ASX:MEP) (OTCMKTS:MURXF) has shown that halloysite-derived carbon nanomaterials are showing strong adsorption potential and recyclability for carbon capture and conversion purposes.  The joint venture, Natural Nanotech Pty Ltd (NNT), is working with the University of Newcastle’s Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN) on high-tech applications for halloysite, natural clay nanotubes, from the Great White Kaolin JV’s high-grade halloysite-kaolin deposits in South Australia.  NNT’s projects with GICAN are directed at developing commercially attractive solutions for a range of environmental issues using nano-porous materials synthesised from natural halloysite-kaolin mixtures. The Great White Project halloysite-derived nanomaterials are amenable to potential adsorbent-related applications in a broad range of areas due to their unique properties. CO2 pilot plant underway GICAN director Professor Ajayan Vinu said: “Optimisation and establishment of the CO2 pilot plant are underway and this unique facility with the automated CO2 measurement system will be established at the University of Newcastle over the next few months. “GICAN team is actively working on increasing the specific surface area of the activated nanocarbon with the aim of reaching the target of two tonnes of CO2 per tonne of the adsorbent. “In addition to the CO2 adsorption, our team in collaboration with Andromeda, Minotaur and Natural Nanotech, is investigating the conversion of the adsorbed CO2 into fine chemicals, which is quite exciting and will make a huge impact in the field of CO2 chemistry.” Current research projects Previous research has highlighted the outstanding potential for adsorbent-related applications in a broad range of areas, including carbon capture and conversion, hydrogen storage and transport, remediation of water and wastewater, energy storage technologies, and antibacterial and agricultural applications. The unique properties of Great White Project halloysite-derived nanomaterials that make them so amenable to these applications are their enormous surface area per unit weight, their porous nature and differential charge capabilities between inner and outer surfaces. Research activity is underway with GICAN under two specific research agreements: Halloysite-derived nanomaterials for environmental applications which commenced in April 2020, continues to look at a range of potential high technology applications; and Halloysite-based materials for carbon capture and conversion, which commenced in April 2021, is optimising the processing route and subsequent development of carbon capture and conversion pilot plants. A number of specific research grant applications are in the pipeline to provide additional funding to accelerate activity in key areas including additional funding to accelerate planned carbon capture and conversion pilot plants. Carbon capture In progressing the ability of halloysite nanomaterials for selective capture of CO2, the GICAN team continue to optimise adsorption potential as a necessary precursor to larger-scale pilot plant design. Impressive results have been achieved with Great White 'run-of-mine' refined halloysite-kaolin now demonstrating over 1,600 square metres/g surface area and 25.7 mmol/g of CO2 adsorption when converted to engineered porous carbon nanomaterial. These results are superior to current commercial products, such as activated carbon, and other materials, including mesoporous carbon, carbon nitride and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The halloysite-derived activated porous carbon exhibits the adsorption of 25.7 mmol/g, which equates to over 1.1 tonnes CO2 per tonne of adsorbent and the adsorbed amount is more than six times higher than that of activated carbon. With this result, the GICAN team is actively seeking to increase this further to reach the adsorbed amount of 2 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of the adsorbent, whilst also maximising recyclability of materials. Optimising the adsorption and recyclability potential are considered critical to the commercialisation of this technology. The exceptional adsorbent performance of activated carbon nanomaterial derived from Great White halloysite-kaolin is due to the 74x increase in surface area generated through surface chemical activation coupled with the higher content of microporosity as compared to that of the unactivated material. Water Treatment research award Andromeda, Minotaur and the GICAN nanotechnology team have been awarded an ARC Linkage Grant to the value of $350,000 for an R&D project under the direction of Professor Jiabao Yi of GICAN, the University of Newcastle, investigating the use of halloysite-derived nanocomposite materials for the removal of microplastics from contaminated water systems. The project aims to develop cheap and environmentally-friendly materials utilising the high surface area and catalytic activity of halloysite nanotubes and advance next-generation composite materials for water treatment. Formal agreements with the University of Newcastle and the Australian Research Council are underway. Andromeda shares have been as much as 5% higher today to 30.5 cents while the company's market cap is approximately $626.6 million.