Biocatalytic Membranes for Carbon Capture and Utilization

Innovative carbon capture technologies that capture CO(2) from large point sources and directly from air are urgently needed to combat the climate crisis. Likewise, corresponding technologies are needed to convert this captured CO(2) into valuable chemical feedstocks and products that replace current fossil-based materials to close the loop in creating viable pathways for a renewable economy. Biocatalytic membranes that combine high reaction rates and enzyme selectivity with modularity, scalability, and membrane compactness show promise for both CO(2) capture and utilization. This review presents a systematic examination of technologies under development for CO(2) capture and utilization that employ both enzymes and membranes. CO(2) capture membranes are categorized by their mode of action as CO(2) separation membranes, including mixed matrix membranes (MMM) and liquid membranes (LM), or as CO(2) gas–liquid membrane contactors (GLMC). Because they selectively catalyze molecular reactions involving CO(2), the two main classes of enzymes used for enhancing membrane function are carbonic anhydrase (CA) and formate dehydrogenase (FDH). Small organic molecules designed to mimic CA enzyme active sites are also being developed. CO(2) conversion membranes are described according to membrane functionality, the location of enzymes relative to the membrane, which includes different immobilization strategies, and regeneration methods for cofactors. Parameters crucial for the performance of these hybrid systems are discussed with tabulated examples. Progress and challenges are discussed, and perspectives on future research directions are provided.