Biomass-Derived Carbon Materials for Direct Air Capture: A Review and Perspective

[Geoengineering News]

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6c00224

Authors: Sijin Dong, Jie Wang, Shuai Wang, Jinjie Liang, Yongchen Song, Lanlan Jiang, Yu Liu, Yi Zhang, Lunxiang Zhang, Zheng Ling

09 April 2026

Abstract 

Global atmospheric CO2 concentrations have risen persistently to record highs, making the deployment of negative-emission technologies critical for meeting global climate goals. Among carbon management strategies, direct air capture (DAC) is a prominent negative-emission technology for removing CO2 directly from the atmosphere, but its development is limited by the need for adsorbents that have high CO2 capture efficiency, excellent selectivity, and low energy requirements for regeneration. Biomass-derived carbon materials have emerged as ideal candidates for DAC adsorbents due to their renewable feedstocks, low cost, adjustable structures, and natural carbon-negative potential. This review systematically outlines the core performance metrics of DAC adsorbents, covering the preparation of biomass-derived carbon, key factors influencing CO2 capture performance, and related tuning strategies. While biomass-derived carbon materials show promising prospects for DAC, practical applications still face challenges related to precise structural control and high energy consumption during regeneration. Future research should focus on developing green synthesis methods powered by renewable energy and achieving low-energy regeneration by utilizing the inherent photothermal and electrothermal properties of materials.

Source: ACS Publications