Recent applications of carbonic anhydrase and its mimics in CO2 capture and utilization technologies

The continued rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations, driven primarily by fossil fuel combustion, remains as a main contributor to global climate change. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies, particularly CO₂ capture approach, represents an essential strategy to mitigate this challenge. Among these methods, Carbonic anhydrase (CA), a natural enzyme catalyzing CO₂ hydration into bicarbonate, has emerged as a promising candidate for efficient CO₂ capture and conversion. Despite its high catalytic efficiency, its industrial application is limited by challenges related to stability and high production costs at large scales. To overcome these limitations, researchers have explored three primary strategies, which are CA modification, immobilization techniques, and the development of carbonic anhydrase mimics (CAMs). These approaches collectively enhance enzymatic stability, reusability and operational flexibility under industrial conditions. This review systematically examines the biological characteristics of CA, analyzes how the immobilization materials influence the catalytic performance, and synthesize the recent advancements in CO₂ capture and conversion technologies. Finally, the potential of CAMs as next-generation carbon reduction technologies is evident. Improving ligand and metal center design is essential to optimize their durability and catalytic performance, making this a key frontier for future research in sustainable carbon management.