Recent advancements in sustainable upcycling of solid waste into porous carbons for carbon dioxide capture

Carbon capture technologies have been extensively investigated as indispensable tools for reducing CO₂ emissions. In particular, CO₂ capture using solid waste-derived porous carbons (SWDPCs) has attracted significant research attention as one of the most promising and sustainable approaches to simultaneously mitigate climate change and address solid waste management challenges. Considerable research has recently been conducted on the thermal and chemical treatments of solid waste for upcycling into porous carbons (PCs) for effective and selective CO₂ capture. In this review, we discuss the synergistic benefits of employing SWDPCs for CO₂ capture and introduce innovative approaches for converting solid waste into PCs with the desired physical and chemical properties. The performance of SWDPCs for CO₂ capture is comprehensively discussed in terms of the synthesis route, CO₂ capture capacity, process cyclability, and sample optimization guided by machine learning. Furthermore, the mechanisms of CO₂ capture on PCs are discussed based on pore structures and incorporated surface functional groups. The life-cycle environmental impact of the PCs synthesized from solid waste and their practical applications for CO₂ capture are also evaluated. The overall environmental benefits of the proposed SWDPC-based CO₂ capture approach are analyzed in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, the remaining challenges in upcycling solid waste into high-performance CO₂ adsorbents are discussed, and potential solutions are proposed.