Molecular solutions to carbon pollution: innovations, mechanisms, and challenges in solvent-based carbon capture

Atmospheric CO₂ levels exceeding 429 ppm necessitate scalable carbon capture and storage (CCS). Solvent-based absorption is the most mature technology but faces high energy demands and environmental impacts. Conventional amines such as MEA require high regeneration energy (3.5-4.0 GJ/tCO₂) and degrade over time. Emerging solutions like ionic liquids, blended amines, and phase-change solvents promise improved efficiency and stability. This review links molecular-level solvent design with techno-economic performance to overcome commercialization barriers. It identifies critical gaps, including the absence of standardized life cycle and techno-economic assessments for next-generation solvents. Furthermore, molecular innovations are often insufficiently integrated with process or cluster-scale requirements, and scaling advanced materials faces supply chain and operational challenges. Transformative pathways, such as integrated capture-conversion systems, can bypass energy-intensive regeneration. By combining technical, economic, and strategic perspectives, this review provides a roadmap to guide solvent development, prioritize research, reduce deployment risks, and accelerate sustainable carbon management necessary for achieving net-zero targets.