What Are the Best Materials for Carbon Capture and Sequestration?

By Stefano Tommasone Ph.D.Reviewed by Lexie CornerFeb 17 2025

Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) is one of the most effective approaches for reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. By preventing CO₂ from being released into the atmosphere, CCS helps mitigate climate change, supports sustainable industrial practices, and contributes to net-zero emission goals.

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CCS is a process designed to capture, transport, and store CO₂ emissions from stationary sources, such as fossil fuel power plants, cement production, steel manufacturing, and other heavy industrial processes. These sectors are considered hard to decarbonize due to their reliance on high-temperature processes and fossil fuel-based energy inputs.

As rising CO₂ concentrations intensify the greenhouse effect, developing effective emission reduction strategies remains critical.¹ CO₂ capture technologies can reduce emissions by up to 90 %, making them a key tool for limiting global warming.

Once captured, CO₂ is either stored in geological formations or repurposed for industrial applications. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), carbon sequestration technologies could remove approximately 20 % of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.²

What is the Difference Between Carbon Storage and Sequestration?

Materials for Carbon Capture and Sequestration

The efficiency and viability of CCS depend on the materials used in CO₂ capture and storage. Material selection is based on key properties such as porosity, chemical reactivity, stability, and scalability, each of which influences performance at different stages of the CCS process.³

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)

MOFs are highly porous materials made from metal ions linked to organic molecules. Their large surface area and adjustable pore size—typically up to 2 nm—make them well-suited for capturing CO₂. Some MOFs have been shown to capture up to 90 % of CO₂ from gas mixtures, making them useful for industrial applications.

However, their performance varies depending on pressure conditions.⁴ MOFs generally work well at high pressures but are less effective in lower-pressure environments. Researchers have explored ways to improve their efficiency, including modifying their structure. For instance, adding tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) to MOF-177 reduces CO₂ diffusion resistance and increases the accessibility of active sites. This adjustment enhances CO₂ adsorption, with an observed capacity of 4.60 mmol/g at 298 K and 1 bar.

Zeolites

Zeolites are aluminosilicate minerals with a well-ordered, microporous structure, commonly used in gas separation. Their ability to selectively trap CO₂, along with their natural abundance and low cost, makes them a practical choice for large-scale CCS systems. Unlike some other materials, zeolites can also be regenerated and reused, which helps reduce overall environmental impact.⁵

Different types of zeolites adsorb CO₂ in different ways. Medium- and large-pore zeolites (0.45–0.80 nm) rely mainly on electrostatic interactions, while small-pore zeolites (0.30–0.45 nm) are influenced more by diffusion and size exclusion.

One challenge with zeolites is their sensitivity to moisture—CO₂ and water often compete for the same adsorption sites. Also, zeolites with a low Si/Al ratio are more prone to hydrolysis, limiting their durability in humid environments.

Amine-Based Sorbents

Amine-based sorbents like monoethanolamine are used in industrial applications due to their high capture efficiency and relatively low cost. These compounds react with CO₂ to form stable intermediates, such as carbamates or bicarbonates, which can later be regenerated to release the captured CO₂. Recent efforts have focused on improving the stability and absorption capacity of these sorbents to enhance their overall performance.

Activated Carbon

Activated carbon is a commonly used material in CCS due to its high surface area—often reaching 3,000 m²/g—and its ability to adsorb around 300 mmol of CO₂ per gram per hour under atmospheric pressure. It is also considered a sustainable option, as it can be produced from renewable sources such as coconut shells and agricultural waste.⁶

Ionic Liquids

Ionic liquids are salts that remain in liquid form at room temperature. They have several properties that make them promising for CO₂ capture, including low volatility, high thermal stability, and strong CO₂ solubility. Adjusting their molecular structure by modifying cations and anions can improve their CO₂ absorption and selectivity. However, their high production costs remain a challenge for large-scale applications.

Biochar

Biochar, a carbon-rich material from biomass pyrolysis, stores CO₂ in soil for centuries, making it effective for long-term sequestration. Its CO₂ adsorption capacity ranges from 2 to 3 mmol/g and improves with increased surface alkalinity, though high water affinity reduces efficiency in humid conditions^.7

In agriculture, biochar enhances soil health and fertility, adding to its environmental value.

Calcium oxide (CaO)

CaO, commonly known as quicklime, is used in a process called calcium looping, where it undergoes cyclic carbonation and calcination reactions. In this process, CaO reacts with CO₂ to form calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), which can then be regenerated by heating.

Its high reactivity and natural abundance make it a practical choice for large-scale CCS efforts. Additionally, the exothermic nature of the reaction provides a potential source of energy for other industrial processes.

Research Trends and Focus Areas

Recent research efforts in CCS focus on developing materials with high scalability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for real-world applications. Materials such as layered double hydroxides (LDHs), nanoporous networks, and advanced MOFs have attracted considerable attention.⁸

LDHs are two-dimensional layered nanomaterials derived from natural or synthetic anionic clay minerals. Their CO₂ capture capacity and stability can be significantly improved by doping with metal atoms. Due to their tunable properties, LDHs present a versatile option for CCS applications.

Ongoing MOF synthesis and functionalization efforts are leading to materials with higher CO₂ selectivity and capacity, making them more suitable for practical applications. Researchers are also developing hybrid materials by combining MOFs with amine-functionalized frameworks, further enhancing CO₂ capture efficiency.

Polyamine-appended melamine nanoporous networks provide a simple and scalable approach to CO₂ capture. These materials exhibit high CO₂ adsorption capacities and can be easily regenerated, making them a promising option for industrial applications.⁹

Research is also exploring alternative CO₂ sequestration techniques, such as mineral carbonation and ocean storage. While these methods show potential, they are still in the early stages of development and require further study to assess their feasibility and long-term impact.¹⁰ Nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes and graphene also show promise, offering high surface areas and tunable properties for efficient CO₂ capture.

To stay informed about the latest advancements in carbon capture and sustainable technologies, explore these resources:

• What is a Biodegradable Material?
• The Potential of 3D Printed Concrete for Carbon Capture
• Potential graphene breakthrough in carbon capture
• New Microbe with Potential to Revolutionize Biomanufacturing and Carbon Capture
• Global Aerogel Insulation Market: Trends, Growth Drivers, and Future Outlook

References and Further Reading

1. Dang, H., Guan, B., Chen, J., Ma, Z., Chen, Y., Zhang, J., Guo, Z., Chen, L., Hu, J., Yi, C., Yao, S. & Huang, Z. (2024). Research on carbon dioxide capture materials used for carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage technology: a review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31, 33259-33302.10.1007/s11356-024-33370-2. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33370-2
2. Singh, N., Farina, I., Petrillo, A., Colangelo, F., De Felice, F. (2023). Carbon capture, sequestration, and usage for clean and green environment: challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, 16, 248-268.10.1080/19397038.2023.2256379. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/19397038.2023.2256379
3. Ozkan, M., Custelcean, R., Guest, E. (2022). The status and prospects of materials for carbon capture technologies. MRS Bulletin, 47, 390-394.10.1557/s43577-022-00364-9. Available: https://doi.org/10.1557/s43577-022-00364-9
4. Do, HH., Rabani, I., Truong, HB. (2023). Metal-organic framework-based nanomaterials for CO(2) storage: A review. Beilstein J Nanotechnol, 14, 964-970.10.3762/bjnano.14.79.
5. Boer, DG., Langerak, J., Pescarmona, P. P. (2023). Zeolites as Selective Adsorbents for CO2 Separation. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 6, 2634-2656.10.1021/acsaem.2c03605. Available: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.2c03605
6. Mohd Azmi, NZ., Buthiyappan, A., Abdul Patah, MF., Rashidi, NA., Abdul Raman, AA. (2024). Enhancing the CO2 adsorption with dual functionalized coconut shell-hydrochar using Chlorella microalgae and metal oxide: Synthesis, physicochemical properties & mechanism evaluations. Journal of Cleaner Production, 463, 142736.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142736. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095965262402184X
7. Guo, S., Li, Y., Wang, Y., Wang, L., Sun, Y., Liu, L. (2022). Recent advances in biochar-based adsorbents for CO2 capture. Carbon Capture Science & Technology, 4, 100059.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccst.2022.100059. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772656822000306
8. Bose, D., Bhattacharya, R., Kaur, T., Pandya, R., Sarkar, A., Ray, A., Mondal, S., Mondal, A., Ghosh, P., Chemudupati, RI. (2024). Innovative approaches for carbon capture and storage as crucial measures for emission reduction within industrial sectors. Carbon Capture Science & Technology, 12, 100238.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccst.2024.100238. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772656824000502
9. Mao, H., Tang, J., Day, GS., Peng, Y., Wang, H., Xiao, X., Yang, Y., Jiang, Y., Chen, S., Halat, DM., Lund, A., Lv, X., Zhang, W., Yang, C., Lin, Z., Zhou, H.-C., Pines, A., Cui, Y., Reimer, JA. (2022). A scalable solid-state nanoporous network with atomic-level interaction design for carbon dioxide capture. Science Advances, 8, eabo6849.doi:10.1126/sciadv.abo6849. Available: https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/sciadv.abo6849
10. Yu, X., Catanescu, CO., Bird, RE., Satagopan, S., Baum, ZJ., Lotti Diaz, LM., Zhou, QA. (2023). Trends in Research and Development for CO2 Capture and Sequestration. ACS Omega, 8, 11643-11664.10.1021/acsomega.2c05070. Available: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c05070

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