To date

the primary industrial carbon capture approach is still absorption using aqueous solutions of alkanolamines. Here

to pursue a substitute for the amine-based approach to improve the CO

2

capture efficiency and decrease the energy cost further

we report a new carbon capture approach using a 2-methylimidazole (mIm) aqueous solution. The properties and sorption behaviors of this approach have been experimentally investigated. The results show that the mIm solution has higher CO

2

absorption capacity under relatively higher equilibrium pressure (130 kPa) and lower desorption heat than the methyldiethanolamine solution. 91.6% sorption capacity of mIm solution can be recovered at 353.15 K and 80 kPa. The selectivity for CO

2

/N

2

and CO

2

/CH

4

can reach an exceptional 7609 and 4324

respectively. Furthermore

the pilot-scale tests were also performed

and the results demonstrate that more than 98% of CO

2

in the feed gas could be removed and cyclic absorption capacity can reach 1 mol·L

-1

. This work indicates that mIm is an excellent alternative to alkanolamines for carbon capture in the industry.