Bio-inspired ZIF-derived Co/N-doped carbon for efficient one-step CO2 mineralization under ambient conditions


Abid H.M.W. Nurmyrza M. Lee W. Balanay M.P.
15 March 2026Elsevier B.V.

Chemical Engineering Journal
2026#532

Efficient catalysts for carbon dioxide (CO2) mineralization are crucial for advancing CO2 capture, conversion, and utilization technologies aimed at mitigating global emissions. In this study, we report the first application of ZIF-67-derived Co/N-doped carbon (Co/NC) as a catalyst for CO2 hydration and mineralization. Co/NC features well-defined cobalt–nitrogen (Co–Nx) motifs that efficiently catalyze the hydration of CO2 to bicarbonate (HCO3−) and facilitate the one-step formation of calcite (CaCO3) during CO2 mineralization. The catalyst demonstrates exceptional catalytic activity in the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate (4-NPA), with an initial rate (V0) of 224.1 nM s−1, a maximum rate (Vmax) of 2908 nM s−1, and a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 11.58 mM, surpassing most carbonic anhydrase (CA) mimics reported to date. Furthermore, Co/NC shows an impressive CO2 sequestration performance, producing 69 mg of CaCO3 within just two minutes at room temperature, demonstrating its effectiveness for CO2 mineralization. The catalyst also exhibits remarkable reusability, retaining high catalytic performance across multiple cycles, as well as excellent thermal stability, ensuring long-term durability. These findings underscore the potential of Co/NC as an efficient and stable catalyst for CO2 mineralization, offering promising applications in CO2 capture, sequestration, and utilization technologies designed to mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations.

Carbonic anhydrase mimics , CO2 capture technologies , CO2 mineralization , CO2 sequestration , Metal organic frameworks

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Chemistry Department, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Laboratory of Environmental Systems, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan

Chemistry Department
Laboratory of Environmental Systems
Civil and Environmental Engineering

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

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