Nanoscale CO₂ Interfacial Reactions and Their Impacts on Sustainable Carbon Management

The global rise in atmospheric CO₂ concentration and its societal impact urges the development of sustainable carbon management via carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) strategies. Although CCUS addresses a challenge of global scale, the key processes occur at nanoscale interfaces among CO₂, water, and solids, where reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport determine CO₂ fate and process performance, influencing the overall efficiency and sustainability of CCUS. Therefore, a better understanding and precise control of nanoscale interfacial chemistry in CCUS processes are vital. This review introduces the fundamental principles of CO₂ interfacial reactions involved in CCUS, followed by a detailed examination of nanoscale interfacial processes in CO₂ capture, utilization, and mineralization. We also explore the properties of various interfaces, the mechanisms governing nanoscale CO₂ interactions, and their impacts on overall CCUS performance, highlighting how a deeper understanding and control of interfacial reactions can contribute to achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions (NZE) targets. To support the characterization of these dynamic and complex interfacial processes, we discuss advanced characterization techniques for studying interfacial phenomena in carbon management systems. Finally, we suggest future research directions and opportunities in advancing carbon management by bridging nanoscale insights to field-scale applications of CCUS.