CO₂ adaptive functional materials: Perspectives in geological utilization and sequestration.

Area of Science:

• Geochemistry and Materials Science
• Petroleum Engineering
• Environmental Engineering

Background:

• Global carbon neutrality goals necessitate advanced CO₂ geological utilization and sequestration (CO₂-GUS) technologies.
• Current CO₂-GUS relies heavily on simulations, highlighting the need for integrated molecular design and engineering solutions.
• Strategic importance of CO₂-GUS for energy security and climate change mitigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent progress in molecular design strategies for CO₂-responsive functional materials.
• To analyze the performance and mechanisms of gels, foams, nano-bubbles, and thickeners in CO₂-GUS.
• To propose a framework for the long-term deployment of these materials in CO₂-GUS.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of CO₂-responsive gels, self-adaptive foams, nano-bubbles, and supercritical CO₂ thickeners.
• Analysis of molecular design principles focusing on CO₂ affinity and deep subsurface adaptability.
• Evaluation of engineering performance in synergistic CO₂-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and sequestration processes.

Main Results:

• Detailed analysis of temperature/salt tolerance for gels and thickeners, and CO₂ mobility control.
• Elucidation of synergistic mechanisms for energy release enhancement and EOR via CO₂ nano-bubble bursting.
• Clarification of colloidal interfacial behavior in CO₂ self-adaptive foams.

Conclusions:

• Advanced molecular design is key for effective CO₂-GUS and enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
• A century-scale deployment framework for CO₂ self-adaptive functional materials provides theoretical and technical support for safe CO₂ management.
• Future research should explore advanced characterization techniques like atomic force microscopy (AFM) for molecular-level insights.