Solid Adsorbents for CO2 Capture: Comparison
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Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is considered to be a promising technology in reducing atmospheric CO2 concentration. Among the CO2 capture technologies, adsorption has grabbed significant attention owing to its advantageous characteristics discovered in recent years. Solid adsorbents have emerged as one of the most versatile CO2 adsorbents. 

  • porous carbon
  • amine functionalization
  • physisorption
  • chemisorption
  • CO2 capture
  • activated carbon
  • Greenhouse effect

1. Introduction

1.1. Physical and Chemical Properties of CO

1.1. Physical and Chemical Properties of CO

2

Carbon dioxide (CO
2
) is a triatomic gas under ambient conditions [1], which is abundant, non-toxic, recyclable, and economical [2]. Moreover, CO
2
sublimates from solid-state to gas at −78 °C under atmospheric pressure and is comparatively inert. As a commonly known fact, CO
2
gas that naturally occurs in the Earth’s atmosphere is of paramount importance to photosynthesis [1]. From an economic point of view, CO
2
can be converted into high-value chemical products such as urea, carbonates, and acrylates [3] through catalytic conversion, mineralization, photochemical, or electrochemical reactions, and supercritical CO
2
can be also utilized in various industrial fields, including food beverages, refrigerants, transportation fuels, fire extinguishers, polymer synthesis, medical, and exploitation of heavy oil. Solid-state CO
2 can be used in artificial rainfall and concrete production [4][5].
can be used in artificial rainfall and concrete production [4,5].

1.2. Trend of Atmospheric CO

1.2. Trend of Atmospheric CO

2

Concentration and Potential CO

2

Emissions Sources

Although the natural carbon cycle controls the CO
2
concentration level in the Earth’s atmosphere [1], due to both anthropogenic activities and natural emissions, the current atmospheric CO
2 concentration reached around 416.5 ppm in mid-2020 [6], which is ~40% greater than the beginning of the industrial revolution (280 ppm) in 1750 [7][8][9], with an average growth rate of 2 ppm per year [9][10]. In other words, the global emission of CO
concentration reached around 416.5 ppm in mid-2020 [6], which is ~40% greater than the beginning of the industrial revolution (280 ppm) in 1750 [7,8,9], with an average growth rate of 2 ppm per year [9,10]. In other words, the global emission of CO
2
was estimated to be more than 36 MT in 2017, which is 18-fold greater than compared to the 1800s [11]. Although it is a consensus that the amount of atmospheric CO
2 should not exceed 350 ppm [12], according to the predictions by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it is expected to reach up to 570 ppm by 2100 [12][13][14]. It is identified that the main causes for the tremendous increase in such atmospheric CO
should not exceed 350 ppm [12], according to the predictions by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it is expected to reach up to 570 ppm by 2100 [12,13,14]. It is identified that the main causes for the tremendous increase in such atmospheric CO
2 concentration are mainly associated with various anthropogenic activities, including vehicular emissions, fossil-fuel power plants, deforestation, chemical processes [15], and waste treatment [16], which have been growing steadily due to rapid industrialization and urban development [15][17]. The natural emission sources, including soil degradation processes and volcanic activities, are also responsible for supplying atmospheric CO
concentration are mainly associated with various anthropogenic activities, including vehicular emissions, fossil-fuel power plants, deforestation, chemical processes [15], and waste treatment [16], which have been growing steadily due to rapid industrialization and urban development [15,17]. The natural emission sources, including soil degradation processes and volcanic activities, are also responsible for supplying atmospheric CO
2 to some extent [18].

1.3. Significant Outcomes Owing to the Trend of Increasing CO

to some extent [18].

1.3. Significant Outcomes Owing to the Trend of Increasing CO

2 Emissions

Unfortunately, the non-controllable anthropogenic activities have negatively affected human beings [19] and the entire ecosystem [3][6] by releasing greenhouse gases, including CO

Emissions

Unfortunately, the non-controllable anthropogenic activities have negatively affected human beings [27] and the entire ecosystem [3,6] by releasing greenhouse gases, including CO
2
, into the atmosphere. Among the greenhouse gases, CO
2 is considered as one of the primary sources, contributing to roughly 64% of the total greenhouse effect [14][20]. The progressive increase in atmospheric CO
is considered as one of the primary sources, contributing to roughly 64% of the total greenhouse effect [14,28]. The progressive increase in atmospheric CO
2 concentration is responsible for climate change, which might adversely impact the global environmental processes, such as the long-term rise in global temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels [21][22], ocean acidification [23], species extinction, melting of polar ice [9], shrinkage of snow covers [24], and severe weather events, ranging from flash floods [25], hurricanes, freezing winters, severe droughts [22], heat waves [26], urban smog [17], and cold streaks [27]. According to the predictions made by IPCC, the rise in sea level of 3.8 m [14][28] and rise in mean global temperature by 3.7 °C [29][30] are expected by 2100 [24]. Besides, the increasing trend of CO
concentration is responsible for climate change, which might adversely impact the global environmental processes, such as the long-term rise in global temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels [29,30], ocean acidification [20], species extinction, melting of polar ice [9], shrinkage of snow covers [31], and severe weather events, ranging from flash floods [32], hurricanes, freezing winters, severe droughts [30], heat waves [33], urban smog [17], and cold streaks [34]. According to the predictions made by IPCC, the rise in sea level of 3.8 m [14,35] and rise in mean global temperature by 3.7 °C [36,37] are expected by 2100 [31]. Besides, the increasing trend of CO
2 in the air might cause various air-borne diseases, which will increase the risk of health complications [31]. The economic loss due to climate change is expected to be 5–20% of the global domestic production [12][28]. Therefore, extensive research projects are currently underway to reduce and control CO
in the air might cause various air-borne diseases, which will increase the risk of health complications [38]. The economic loss due to climate change is expected to be 5–20% of the global domestic production [12,35]. Therefore, extensive research projects are currently underway to reduce and control CO
2 emissions from power plants, industries, and transportation [32].

1.4. Approaches to Reduce Atmospheric CO

emissions from power plants, industries, and transportation [39].

1.4. Approaches to Reduce Atmospheric CO

2

Concentration

Three feasible strategies to reduce CO
2 emissions are exhibited by the modified Kaya identity as expressed in equation (1) [28]. They are namely, (i) improving the energy efficiency of coal-fired plants [33][34], (ii) change of the fossil fuels to renewable and carbon-free energy resources [35], and (iii) utilization of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies [28][36][37]. where CD: CO
emissions are exhibited by the modified Kaya identity as expressed in equation (1) [35]. They are namely, (i) improving the energy efficiency of coal-fired plants [40,41], (ii) change of the fossil fuels to renewable and carbon-free energy resources [42], and (iii) utilization of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies [35,43,44]. where CD: CO
2
emissions, P: Population, GDP: economic development in gross domestic production, E: energy production, C: carbon-based fuels used for energy production, and S
CO2
: CO
2 sinks [28]. Apart from the above-mentioned three strategies, enhancing partial pressure in exhaust gas [36], geoengineering approaches including afforestation and reforestation [38], flue gas separation, and carbon mineralization [39] can also be considered. Among the different CO
sinks [35]. Apart from the above-mentioned three strategies, enhancing partial pressure in exhaust gas [43], geoengineering approaches including afforestation and reforestation [45], flue gas separation, and carbon mineralization [46] can also be considered. Among the different CO
2
mitigation options, IPCC has suggested CCS as a promising technology for achieving a 19% reduction of global CO
2 emissions by 2050 [34]. CCS can reduce CO
emissions by 2050 [41]. CCS can reduce CO
2 emissions (typically 85–90%) from significant stationary point sources such as power plants, cement kilns, and NG wells [40][41]. Nevertheless, CCS is considered a mid-term solution in reducing global warming, climate change, and simultaneously allowing humans to continue using fossil fuels until a renewable and clean energy source is discovered to replace them [34]. CCS is comprised of three significant steps, namely, (i) capture of emitted CO
emissions (typically 85–90%) from significant stationary point sources such as power plants, cement kilns, and NG wells [25,47]. Nevertheless, CCS is considered a mid-term solution in reducing global warming, climate change, and simultaneously allowing humans to continue using fossil fuels until a renewable and clean energy source is discovered to replace them [41]. CCS is comprised of three significant steps, namely, (i) capture of emitted CO
2
from power plants and industrial processing without releasing them into the atmosphere, (ii) transportation of the captured and compressed CO
2
, and (iii) underground storage of the captured CO
2 [26][42][43]. However, the process of CO
[33,48,49]. However, the process of CO
2 capture, which accounts for 70–80% of the total cost, has proven to be the major barrier for the deployment of CCS [40][44]. Interestingly, in recent years, carbon capture storage and utilization (CCSU) has grabbed significant attention compared to CCS owing to the convertibility of the captured CO
capture, which accounts for 70–80% of the total cost, has proven to be the major barrier for the deployment of CCS [25,50]. Interestingly, in recent years, carbon capture storage and utilization (CCSU) has grabbed significant attention compared to CCS owing to the convertibility of the captured CO
2 into commercial products [45][46]. The success of CCS and CCSU technologies are associated with the CO
into commercial products [51,52]. The success of CCS and CCSU technologies are associated with the CO
2 adsorption efficiency, ease of handling, manufacturing cost, and renderability of the associated materials [22].

1.5. CO

adsorption efficiency, ease of handling, manufacturing cost, and renderability of the associated materials [30].

1.5. CO

2

Emission Sources

The CO
2
emission sources are the primary candidates for potential applications of CCS or CCSU technologies. Therefore, from a community and industrial point of view, CO
2 capture from typical gas streams, including flue gas, biogas, flare gas, syngas, and ambient air, has grabbed significant interest [47].
capture from typical gas streams, including flue gas, biogas, flare gas, syngas, and ambient air, has grabbed significant interest [53].
Table 1
depicts the summary of the compositions of different gas streams.
Table 1.
Compositions of different gas streams which act as potential CO
2 capture opportunities (Reprinted with permission from ref. [47][48]).
capture opportunities (Reprinted with permission from ref. [53,63]).
Component Cement Rotary Kiln Dry Atmospheric Air Biogas Generated from Waste Water Treatment Plant Sludge Natural Gas Fired Flue Gas Coal-Fired Flue Gas
N2 59 vol % 70 vol % 0–1 vol % 73–80 vol % 70–80 vol %
CO2 19 vol % 410 ppm 19–33 vol % 3–8 vol % 11–15 vol %
H2O 13 vol % - - 7–14.6 vol % 5–12 vol %
O2 7 vol % 21 vol % <0.5 vol % 4.5–15 vol % 3–6 vol %
SO2 5–1200 ppm - -
]. Adsorption of CO
2 onto a material occurs through different types of interactions between the gas molecules and the adsorbent. Adsorption can be classified as (i) physisorption or (ii) chemisorption [59]. CO
onto a material occurs through different types of interactions between the gas molecules and the adsorbent. Adsorption can be classified as (i) physisorption or (ii) chemisorption [100]. CO
2 adsorption is an exothermic process as reported elsewhere [60][61].
adsorption is an exothermic process as reported elsewhere [92,101].
Figure 1 presents the schematic of the two adsorption processes, while
2 presents the schematic of the two adsorption processes, while
Table 3 tabulates the differences between physisorption and chemisorption.
/media/item_content/202204/6258e3da2d0f8atmosphere-13-00397-g002.png
4 tabulates the differences between physisorption and chemisorption.
Atmosphere 13 00397 g002 550
Figure 12. Schematic of the interactions between gas molecules and the adsorbent surface during physisorption and chemisorption (Reprinted with permission from ref. [62]).
Schematic of the interactions between gas molecules and the adsorbent surface during physisorption and chemisorption (Reprinted with permission from ref. [26]).
Table 34.
Comparison of the CO
2
physisorption and chemisorption processes.
Process Advantages Disadvantages
Physisorption
  • More appropriate for high pressure applications [63]
    More appropriate for high pressure applications [102]
  • Adsorbent is easily regenerated, and low energy is required for desorption [
  • 10]
  • Relatively stable even past 200 °C [
  • 10
  • ]
  • Low cost for adsorbent preparation
  • [
  • Low cost for adsorbent preparation [103]
  • CO
    2 capture capacity decreases with increasing temperature [15][65]
    capture capacity decreases with increasing temperature [15,104]
  • Low CO
  • 2
  • uptake at low pressures [47]
    uptake at low pressures [53]
  • Low CO
  • 2
  • selectivity for combustion flue gas streams
  • [42]
    selectivity for combustion flue gas streams [48]
  • ]
  • separation from flue gas [67]
  • Large energy penalty requirement for providing pure oxygen [53]
    Large energy penalty requirement for providing pure oxygen [68]
  • Absence of complete preparation methods
  • Grafted amines volatilize and degrade above 120 °C due to instability at higher temperatures
  • [
  • ]
    Grafted amines volatilize and degrade above 120 °C due to instability at higher temperatures [99]
  • A corrosive environment could be produced during the regeneration of spent adsorbent due to the presence of amine groups
  • [
  • ]
  • A corrosive environment could be produced during the regeneration of spent adsorbent due to the presence of amine groups [
  • 100
  • ]

2.2. Different Regeneration Strategies

The attached CO
2 molecules onto the adsorbent surface could be regenerated through the (i) pressure swing adsorption (PSA), (ii) temperature swing adsorption (TSA), (iii) vacuum swing adsorption (VSA), (iv) pressure and vacuum swing adsorption (PVSA), and (v) electric swing adsorption (ESA) processes [26][28][73].
molecules onto the adsorbent surface could be regenerated through the (i) pressure swing adsorption (PSA), (ii) temperature swing adsorption (TSA), (iii) vacuum swing adsorption (VSA), (iv) pressure and vacuum swing adsorption (PVSA), and (v) electric swing adsorption (ESA) processes [33,35,116].
Table 5 shows the advantages and disadvantages of different regeneration strategies. The regeneration method depends on the chemical and structural properties of a given adsorbent [69].
shows the advantages and disadvantages of different regeneration strategies. The regeneration method depends on the chemical and structural properties of a given adsorbent [108].
Table 45.
Comparison of different regeneration strategies.
Regeneration Strategy Advantages Disadvantages
Temperature swing adsorption (TSA)
  • Simple in operation [69]
    Simple in operation [108]
  • Can use low-grade heat from power plants [74]
    Can use low-grade heat from power plants [112]
  • Long heating and cooling time periods [69]
    Long heating and cooling time periods [108]
  • Longer desorption time than PSA [28]
    Longer desorption time than PSA [35]
  • Higher energy requirement than PSA
  • [28]
    Higher energy requirement than PSA [35]
  • Adsorption capacity decreases in the presence of water [62]
    Adsorption capacity decreases in the presence of water [26]
  • Rapid adsorbent deactivation due to coking at higher temperatures
  • [
  • ]
    Rapid adsorbent deactivation due to coking at higher temperatures [35]
 Chemisorption
  • High selectivity towards CO
    2
    due to strong interactions between basic species on the adsorbent surface and the acidic CO56
    2 molecule [42][66]
    molecule [48,105]
  • ]
    High adsorption capacity at low CO
    2 partial pressures such as in the ambient air [42][67][68]
    partial pressures such as in the ambient air [48,106,107]
  • Easy operation [75]
    Easy operation [56]
  • Enhanced adsorption capacity in the presence of water [64][69]
    Enhanced adsorption capacity in the presence of water [103,
  • Low capital investment than TSA and VSA
  • 108]
  • Comparatively higher mechanical stability
  • [
  • Comparatively higher mechanical stability [51]
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA)
  • Lower energy requirement than TSA [75]
    Lower energy requirement than TSA [
  • ]
  • Low capital investment than TSA and VSA [
  • 56
  • ]
  • Applicability over a wide range of temperatures and pressures
  • [
  • Applicability over a wide range of temperatures and pressures [117]
  • Slower than the physisorption process [70]
    Slower than the physisorption process [109]
  • Functionalization of porous materials with amine groups decreases the CO
  • 2
  • Compression of the flue gas streams [69]
    Compression of the flue gas streams [108]
  • [54]
    Absence of complete preparation methods [69]
  • capture capacity due to pore blockage
  • [66][71]
    capture capacity due to pore blockage [105,110]
  • Pure oxygen is expensive [52]
    Pure oxygen is expensive [67]
  • Limited knowledge regarding the technology
  • [
  • Dilute gas streams may result in intense energy consumptions during PSA [
  • High energy requirement for regeneration of the adsorbent [72]
    High energy requirement for regeneration of the adsorbent [99
  • ]
    Limited knowledge regarding the technology [68]
  • ]
  • ]
    Dilute gas streams may result in intense energy consumptions during PSA [99]
  • Low cyclic stability due to amine degradation [66]. Higher cost associated with adsorbent synthesis [64]
    Low cyclic stability due to amine degradation [105]. Higher cost associated with adsorbent synthesis [103
  • Environmental impacts associated are higher due to energy intensive air separation process [52]
    Environmental impacts associated are higher due to energy intensive air separation process [67]
  • ]
  • Chemisorbents can permanently bind to gases such as SO
  • 2
  • to decrease the capacity of active sites for CO
  • 2
  • capture
  • [
  • ]
    capture [99]
 Post-combustion capture
  • Readily applicable for large-scale in newly built and existing power plants without upgrading and reconstruction [55]
    Readily applicable for large-scale in newly built and existing power plants without upgrading and reconstruction [70]
  • Repairing does not discontinue the procedure of the entire power plant and it can be regulated or managed easily [56]
    Repairing does not discontinue the procedure of the entire power plant and it can be regulated or managed easily [71]
  • Shorter time required for creation
  • [
Electric swing adsorption (ESA)
  • More economical than TSA and PSA [28]
    More economical than TSA and PSA [
  • ]
    Shorter time required for creation [72]
  • Requirement of huge energy supplies for sorbent regeneration [53]
    Requirement of huge energy supplies for sorbent regeneration [68]
  • Requires the separation of impurities from captured CO
  • CO
  • 2
  •  in the flue gas is diluted with a concentration ranging from 10–15% which requires high recovery and capital costs and 25–35% additional energy for plant operation
  • [28]
    in the flue gas is diluted with a concentration ranging from 10–15% which requires high recovery and capital costs and 25–35% additional energy for plant operation [35]
<10 ppm 200–4000 ppm
SO3 - - - - 0–20 ppm
NOX 100–1500 ppm - - 50–70 ppm 200–800 ppm
CO - - - - 50–100 ppm
H2 - 0.5 vol % - 5–300 ppm 5–20 g/m3
Particulate matter - - - - -
H2S - - 100–4000 ppm - -
Ar - 0.9 vol % - - -
Xe - 0.1 vol % - - -
Ne - 18 ppm - - -
He - 5.2 ppm - - -
CH4 - 1.6 vol % 60–75 vol % - -
Kr - 1.1 vol % - - -
N2O - 0.3 vol % - - -

1.6. CO

2

Capture Technologies

Table 2
depicts the comparison of the leading carbon capture technologies. According to
Table 2, carbon capture from power plants in industries can be classified as (i) pre-combustion capture, (ii) oxy-fuel combustion, and (iii) post-combustion capture [49] depending on the combustion method and composition of the gas stream [50]. The working conditions such as pressure and temperature differ for each technique [51]. The main factors impacting CO
, carbon capture from power plants in industries can be classified as (i) pre-combustion capture, (ii) oxy-fuel combustion, and (iii) post-combustion capture [64] depending on the combustion method and composition of the gas stream [65]. The working conditions such as pressure and temperature differ for each technique [66]. The main factors impacting CO
2 capture efficiency are the gas composition, gas stream temperature, and energy penalty associated with regeneration [28].
capture efficiency are the gas composition, gas stream temperature, and energy penalty associated with regeneration [35].
Table 2.
Comparison of the three main carbon capture technologies.
CO2 Capture Technology Advantages Disadvantages
Pre-combustion capture
  • The concentration of CO
    2 produced within these processes range from ~15–60% which makes it easy to capture [51]
    produced within these processes range from ~15–60% which makes it easy to capture [66]
  • When applying to new power plants, the technology is not yet commercialized and requires a high capital investment due to major alternatives to be done into boiler and flue gas systems [28]
    When applying to new power plants, the technology is not yet commercialized and requires a high capital investment due to major alternatives to be done into boiler and flue gas systems [35]
  • Process of gasification and water gas shift reactions are expensive and quite challenging [51]
    Process of gasification and water gas shift reactions are expensive and quite challenging [66]
  • High energy penalty associated with regeneration of chemical solvents
  • [52]
    High energy penalty associated with regeneration of chemical solvents [67]
Oxy-fuel combustion
  • Avoids the requirement of chemicals or other means of CO
    2 separation from flue gas [52

2. Solid Adsorbents for CO

2 Capture

2.1. Adsorption Process of CO

Capture

2.1. Adsorption Process of CO

2

Adsorption is a surface phenomenon that highly depends on surface properties and functionalities [50]. Adsorption of CO
Adsorption is a surface phenomenon that highly depends on surface properties and functionalities [65
  • Independent purge gas flow
  • [
  • ]
  • Independent purge gas flow [
  • Fast heating and cooling rates
  • [69]
    Fast heating and cooling rates [108]
  • Low energy consumption
  • [
  • Low energy consumption [108]
  • Further improvements are required before commercialization [28]
    Further improvements are required before commercialization [35]
  • The adsorbents should have good electrical conductivity [69]
    The adsorbents should have good electrical conductivity [108]
Vacuum swing adsorption (VSA)
  • Applicability in large point sources [69]
    Applicability in large point sources [108]
Adsorption/desorption kinetics
>1 mmol/g.min
  • Energy intensive operation

2.3. Criteria for Selecting CO

2

Adsorbents

When synthesizing and selecting an effective CO
2 adsorbent, the material should be economical and operational simultaneously [74]. Therefore, a prospective CO
adsorbent, the material should be economical and operational simultaneously [112]. Therefore, a prospective CO
2
adsorbent should satisfy the following criteria (
Table 5): (i) CO
6): (i) CO2 adsorption capacity: The adsorption capacity plays a vital role since it determines the amount of adsorbent to be inserted into the adsorption column to attain the desired performance [118,119], (ii) Regenerability: The adsorbent should be fully regenerable and require relatively mild conditions for complete regeneration [119], (iii) CO2 selectivity: The adsorbent should display substantially high selectivity for CO
2 adsorption capacity: The adsorption capacity plays a vital role since it determines the amount of adsorbent to be inserted into the adsorption column to attain the desired performance [77][78], (ii) Regenerability: The adsorbent should be fully regenerable and require relatively mild conditions for complete regeneration [78], (iii) CO
in the co-presence of other species (e.g., N
2 selectivity: The adsorbent should display substantially high selectivity for CO
, methane (CH4), sulfur dioxide (SO
2 in the co-presence of other species (e.g., N2, methane (CH4), sulfur dioxide (SO
), hydrogen sulfide (H
2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and moisture) [74][79][80], (iv) Adsorption/desorption kinetics: A rapid adsorption/desorption is required for swing adsorption to decrease the cycle time [73][74], (v) Thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability: During the cyclic regeneration process, the microstructure and morphology of the adsorbent should be retained. Moreover, the adsorbent should withstand harsh operating conditions, including vibration, high temperatures, pressures, and flow rates. Additionally, the amine-functionalized adsorbents should be resistant against oxidizing agents and contaminants such as sulfur oxides (SOX), nitrogen oxides (NOX), water vapor, and heavy metals [11][81], and (vi) Adsorbent cost: The adsorbent should be synthesized using cheap raw materials while adopting a cost-effective and energy-saving synthesis routes [62].
S), and moisture) [112,120,121], (iv) Adsorption/desorption kinetics: A rapid adsorption/desorption is required for swing adsorption to decrease the cycle time [112,116], (v) Thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability: During the cyclic regeneration process, the microstructure and morphology of the adsorbent should be retained. Moreover, the adsorbent should withstand harsh operating conditions, including vibration, high temperatures, pressures, and flow rates. Additionally, the amine-functionalized adsorbents should be resistant against oxidizing agents and contaminants such as sulfur oxides (SOX), nitrogen oxides (NOX), water vapor, and heavy metals [11,122], and (vi) Adsorbent cost: The adsorbent should be synthesized using cheap raw materials while adopting a cost-effective and energy-saving synthesis routes [26].
Table 56.
Threshold values of criteria for selecting an effective CO
2 adsorbent (Reprinted with permission from refs. [74][77]).
adsorbent (Reprinted with permission from refs. [112,118]).
Parameter Requirement
CO2 adsorption capacity 3–4 mmol/g
Regenerability >1000 cycles
CO2 gas selectivity over other gases >100
Adsorbent cost $5–15/kg sorbent

2.4. Different Adsorbents for CO

2.4. Different Adsorbents for CO

2

Capture

Numerous studies on CO
2
capture conducted in academic and industrial settings have developed promising adsorbents possessing the requirements demonstrated in
Table 5 [55]. A variety of adsorbents have been discovered and synthesized, including MOFs, zeolites, activated carbons, zeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), grafted and impregnated polyamines [44], activated alumina, carbonized porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs) [82][83], porous organic polymers (POPs) [33], mesoporous silica, carbon nanotubes [84], metal oxides, ionic liquids [85], phosphates [28], and molecular sieves [5].

2.5. Importance of Carbon-Based Adsorbents for Effective CO

6 [70]. A variety of adsorbents have been discovered and synthesized, including MOFs, zeolites, activated carbons, zeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), grafted and impregnated polyamines [50], activated alumina, carbonized porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs) [124,125], porous organic polymers (POPs) [40], mesoporous silica, carbon nanotubes [126], metal oxides, ionic liquids [21], phosphates [35], and molecular sieves [5].

2.5. Importance of Carbon-Based Adsorbents for Effective CO

2

Capture

Of the previously mentioned CO
2
adsorbents, though zeolites and well-ordered frameworks exhibit high CO
2 adsorption capacities at relatively lower pressures [39], the CO
adsorption capacities at relatively lower pressures [46], the CO
2 adsorption performance gradually decreases in the co-presence of moisture [34][86]. Similarly, molecular sieves and silica gel also demonstrate decreased CO
adsorption performance gradually decreases in the co-presence of moisture [41,127]. Similarly, molecular sieves and silica gel also demonstrate decreased CO
2 adsorption performance in the co-presence of moisture [5]. Additionally, the usage of MOFs has been severely limited due to structural collapse upon vacuum treatments [34], contact with acid gases, thermal regeneration [84], and their complex and expensive synthesis procedures [86]. The ionic liquids are also unfavorable for practical applications due to their relatively high operational costs and high viscosity, leading to corrosion-related problems [87]. On the other hand, the application of carbon materials in the day-to-day lives of human beings can be traced back to more than 5000 years when the early humans discovered charcoal formed through the incomplete combustion of wood. Interestingly, many carbon materials have been discovered, such as graphene, fullerene, activated carbons, graphite, carbon foams, biochar carbon nanotubes, and carbon aerogels [88]. The carbon-based materials can be used as appropriate candidates in catalysis, electronics, fuel cells, biology, metal recovery, and gas storage and separation [27][88][89]. Among the aforementioned wide range of applications, carbon-based porous materials can serve as appropriate candidates for CO
adsorption performance in the co-presence of moisture [5]. Additionally, the usage of MOFs has been severely limited due to structural collapse upon vacuum treatments [41], contact with acid gases, thermal regeneration [126], and their complex and expensive synthesis procedures [127]. The ionic liquids are also unfavorable for practical applications due to their relatively high operational costs and high viscosity, leading to corrosion-related problems [60].
On the other hand, the application of carbon materials in the day-to-day lives of human beings can be traced back to more than 5000 years when the early humans discovered charcoal formed through the incomplete combustion of wood. Interestingly, many carbon materials have been discovered, such as graphene, fullerene, activated carbons, graphite, carbon foams, biochar carbon nanotubes, and carbon aerogels [96]. The carbon-based materials can be used as appropriate candidates in catalysis, electronics, fuel cells, biology, metal recovery, and gas storage and separation [34,96,128].
Among the aforementioned wide range of applications, carbon-based porous materials can serve as appropriate candidates for CO
2 capture due to their advantageous, including low production cost [27], competitive CO
capture due to their advantageous, including low production cost [34], competitive CO
2 adsorption performance at a given pressure [39][90], easy synthesis, ease of scaling up [88], wide availability, controllable pore structure, high thermal stability [15], good chemical resistance against alkaline and acidic media [91], fast adsorption kinetics [44], lower regeneration energy requirements [86], high apparent density (0.3 g/cm
adsorption performance at a given pressure [46,78], easy synthesis, ease of scaling up [96], wide availability, controllable pore structure, high thermal stability [15], good chemical resistance against alkaline and acidic media [129], fast adsorption kinetics [50], lower regeneration energy requirements [127], high apparent density (0.3 g/cm
3) [92][93], high surface area [94][95], environmental benignity [85], favorable surface chemistry [96], selectivity [66], and flexibility for heteroatom doping or surface functionalization [97]. Additionally, the high thermal and chemical conductivity of carbon-based materials can be exploited for thermal, electric, and pressure swing adsorption strategies [92].
) [130,131], high surface area [132,133], environmental benignity [21], favorable surface chemistry [134], selectivity [105], and flexibility for heteroatom doping or surface functionalization [135]. Additionally, the high thermal and chemical conductivity of carbon-based materials can be exploited for thermal, electric, and pressure swing adsorption strategies [130].
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