Ion pairing enhances hydroquinone stability toward oxygen in aqueous electrochemical carbon dioxide capture

Abdulrahman M. Alfaraidi, Nina Ni, Jordan Sosa, Sara Lia, Mayar Alhelaili, Nathan Faialaga, Nawal M. Alghoraibi, Husain H. Al Naji, Ammar H. Alahmed, Aqil Jamal, Michael J. Aziz () and Richard Y. Liu ()
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Abdulrahman M. Alfaraidi: Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Nina Ni: Harvard University, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Jordan Sosa: Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Sara Lia: Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Mayar Alhelaili: Harvard University, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Nathan Faialaga: Harvard University, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Nawal M. Alghoraibi: Saudi Aramco, Research and Development Center
Husain H. Al Naji: Saudi Aramco, Research and Development Center
Ammar H. Alahmed: Saudi Aramco, Research and Development Center
Aqil Jamal: Saudi Aramco, Research and Development Center
Michael J. Aziz: Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Richard Y. Liu: Harvard University, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The use of redox-active organic molecules for aqueous electrochemical carbon dioxide capture is limited by their tendency to undergo reversible oxidation by oxygen. Here we show that a naphthoquinone derivative, when reduced in the presence of tetraalkylammonium countercations, displays enhanced stability toward oxygen while maintaining carbon dioxide binding ability. By combining structural modification with control of non-covalent interactions, we mitigate a previously observed trade-off between carbon dioxide capture performance and resistance to aerobic oxidation. In situ spectrophotometry and comparative voltammetry indicate that ion pairing stabilizes the reduced quinone both by shifting its redox potential and by promoting carbon dioxide adduct formation. Among the cations tested, tetraethylammonium provides the most favorable balance, supporting efficient capture and release cycle with 87 % Coulombic efficiency and an energy cost of 157 kilojoules per mole of carbon dioxide from a gas mixture containing carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen. These findings illustrate how molecular design combined with electrolyte engineering can improve the durability of aqueous quinone-based electrochemical carbon capture systems and may inform the development of more robust and energy-efficient approaches for sustainable carbon management.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65258-1

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