Biomimetic Catalysis of CO₂ Hydration: A Materials Perspective

Abstract

Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns have made the effect of climate change more evident setting up an alarm for the need of quick action for its mitigation. Carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) is an effective step in this direction. One of the key reactions in the heart of aqueous CCUS technologies is the reversible hydration of CO2. The reaction is catalyzed biologically by the enzymes of the carbonic anhydrase family, and for its industrial realization, catalysts including organometallic compounds and metallic nanoparticles have been widely investigated. These catalysts enhance the reaction rates at moderate conditions of temperature, pressure, and pH for suitable applications for CO2 separation and mineralization. However, the use of catalysts is limited by their industrial scale production costs and/or reusability. In this review, we present a materials perspective of different catalysts that have been developed worldwide for CO2 hydration with a specific emphasis on the biomimetic mechanism of the catalytic activity of the catalysts.