Adsorption Mechanisms and AI-Driven Discovery of Biomass-Based CO₂ Sorbents

The pressing need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions has driven recent advances in carbon capture technologies. Among these, adsorption has emerged as one of the most efficient and promising methods for CO₂ sequestration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent progress in biomass-derived activated carbon (AC) as a sustainable solution for carbon capture. It explores the influence of various biomass precursors, their composition, and the effects of chemical and thermal treatments on the textural properties and CO₂ adsorption capacity of AC. The role of functional groups and pore structures in enhancing adsorption performance, particularly under humid conditions, is also examined. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technologies in process modeling and the discovery of optimized bio-based AC materials is highlighted. Classic adsorption kinetic models are reviewed to provide deeper insights into CO₂ adsorption mechanisms and the efficiency of bio-based AC. The discussion underscores the necessity of continued research to enhance the properties, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of bio-based AC while leveraging AI-driven innovations to advance carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions.