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 CO₂ 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 CO₂ 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.