Mineralizing cellulose via carbonation is an emerging strategy
for developing sustainable materials while capturing and utilizing CO₂. This
process enables the transformation of lignocellulosic biomass into hybrid
organic-inorganic materials by facilitating CO₂ absorption in alkaline
solutions, leading to the formation of reactive carbonates, bicarbonates, and
carbamates. In the presence of calcium and magnesium, thermodynamically
stable and environmentally benign precipitates form within cellulose fiber
networks, yielding durable, functional composites.
This fast and scalable method has broad applications in construction,
biomedical scaffolds, and artificial coral stone formation, offering a novel
pathway for CO₂ sequestration and biomass valorization. Early studies
demonstrated the feasibility of this approach using dissolved
microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), highlighting its potential for sustainable
material innovation [1].
In current work, we are further advancing mineralized fiber development
from (ligno)cellulosic sources, focusing on optimizing CO₂ absorption,
enhancing mineralization efficiency, and expanding applications for
large-scale implementation. Our work contributes to the advancement of
accelerated Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies by integrating
renewable biomass with mineral carbonation to create value added and
eco-friendly materials.