Utilization of zeolites as CO2 capturing agents: Advances and future perspectives

The development of porous materials as highly efficient CO2 adsorbents is a promising and continuously expanding research area, aiming to provide more efficient energy alternatives and help maintain a clean environment. Currently, fossil fuel combustion is the primary cause of the increase in atmospheric CO2 content and a significant contributor to global warming, because CO2 is a major greenhouse gas considered to pose a large environmental threat. The current level of atmospheric CO2 exceeds 415 ppm, which highlights the need to reduce the further release of this gas and prevent it from entering the carbon cycle. Many porous adsorbents have been developed as CO2 capture agents; however, they are only partially effective and need to be replaced with more effective porous materials to tackle the global climate concerns due to the presence of CO2 in the atmosphere. Herein, we review the existing CO2 capture techniques as well as related tools and materials, highlighting the recent progress in the use of zeolites for this purpose and indicating their significant potential for CO2 capture owing to their high porosity, ultra-small pores, structural diversity, high stability, and excellent recyclability and chemical reactivity.