Article

Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a method to transform discarded nitrile gloves into carbon capture materials. The process involves catalytic hydrogenation of nitrile-butadiene rubber to produce amine-rich polymers capable of CO₂ capture.

Using a ruthenium catalyst, the team validated the method with model rubber samples and commercial gloves. The resulting materials demonstrated CO₂ adsorption capacities ranging from 0.50 to 3.05 mmol/g under simulated flue gas conditions. The study indicates that nitrile gloves, a significant waste stream, can be upcycled into functional carbon capture materials, although optimization for cost and scalability is necessary.