Advances and Perspectives in Carbon Capture: Materials, Processes, and System Integration for a Low-Carbon Future
Abstract
Carbon capture technologies have emerged as critical pillars in the global strategy to mitigate anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero targets. This review synthesizes the current state of the art across capture pathways, including post-combustion, pre-combustion, oxy-fuel, and emerging direct air capture (DAC) approaches. The article provides a comparative evaluation of adsorption, absorption, cryogenic, and membrane-based systems, emphasizing their thermodynamic limits, process intensification strategies, and integration within industrial sectors. Special attention is given to sorbent design, from amine-functionalized materials to next-generation physisorbents such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), highlighting performance under humid and low-partial-pressure conditions. The methodology section outlines a systematic review framework combining bibliometric mapping, technology readiness assessment, and critical benchmarking of energy consumption and cost metrics. Results discuss breakthroughs in structured contactors, hybrid solvent–sorbent systems, and advanced regeneration schemes, supported by figures and tables that visualize trends in capture cost reduction, material performance, and large-scale deployment scenarios. A comprehensive discussion explores scalability, environmental impacts, and integration of capture systems with renewable energy, carbon utilization, and storage infrastructures. The conclusion underscores the role of carbon capture as both a bridging and transformative technology, stressing the urgent need for policy support, public acceptance, and cross-disciplinary innovation. By providing a consolidated overview of materials, processes, and systemic implications, this review aims to guide researchers, engineers, and policymakers toward accelerating the deployment of sustainable carbon capture solutions worldwide.
