The nanogreen revolution: Transforming CO2 capture through sustainable nanotechnology

Abstract

The urgent challenge of climate change, driven by rising atmospheric CO₂ levels, demands innovative and scalable carbon capture solutions. While conventional carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies such as post-combustion, pre-combustion, and oxy-fuel combustion can achieve up to 90% CO₂ removal, their widespread adoption is hindered by high energy requirements, operational costs, and integration barriers. This review systematically analyzes the Nanogreen Revolution, which merges nanotechnology, green chemistry, and biomass-derived materials to advance CO 2 capture. We present a new classification of nanomaterials, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), nanoporous carbons, and 2-dimensional materials based on their structural features, synthesis approaches, and capture mechanisms. Recent studies reveal that amine-functionalized MOFs and graphene oxide membranes can achieve CO 2 capture efficiencies exceeding 95% ideal laboratory-scale settings, while also offering improved selectivity and stability. The integration of green chemistry principles into nanomaterial synthesis further reduces energy consumption and environmental impact. Despite these advances, challenges remain in scaling up production and minimizing costs. This review concludes by outlining future research directions and policy considerations, emphasizing the potential of nanotechnology-enabled CCS to accelerate progress toward net-negative emissions and inform climate mitigation strategies at both industrial and policy levels. • Explores how nanotechnology revolutionizes CO₂ capture, overcoming the limitations of conventional methods. • Reviews recent advances in nanomaterials, including MOFs, nanoporous carbons, and 2D materials, for efficient and selective CO₂ adsorption. • Emphasizes the integration of green chemistry principles in nanomaterial synthesis to enhance environmental sustainability. • Discusses the challenges and opportunities in scaling up nanotechnology-enabled CO₂ capture for industrial application. • Provides a roadmap for future interdisciplinary research toward net-negative emissions and climate change mitigation.

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