Next-Generation CO₂ Capture: Zeolite-Encapsulated Carbonic Anhydrase for High-Efficiency CaCO₃ Formation

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture is considered one of the most effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the global challenge of climate change. International agreements such as Paris Agreement and Kyoto Protocol emphasize the critical importance of regulating carbon emissions to mitigate global warming and promote sustainable development. The continuous increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases, particularly CO₂, is a pressing global issue, exacerbating the risks associated with extreme weather conditions. In this study, an effective “ship-in-a-bottle” strategy was used to encapsulate bovine carbonic anhydrase (BCA) in three separate microporous zeolitic matrices (Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5), Mordenite (MOR), and Ferrierite (FER)). Zeolites were preferred due to their finely controlled pore structure, ion exchange ability, surface functionalization, and high thermal and chemical resistance. They provide significant contributions to sustainable technologies by providing energy efficiency and selectivity in adsorption and catalysis processes. The encapsulation process enabled the BCA to be encapsulated within the porous frameworks while preserving its catalytic activity. The obtained BCA@zeolite composites exhibit well-defined architectures conducive to CO₂ conversion and show promising potential as bioinspired catalysts for carbon capture applications. Extensive physicochemical characterizations, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confirmed the successful enzyme immobilization, structural integrity, and zeolite crystal formation. The catalytic activity of encapsulated BCA was evaluated via model hydrolysis of para-nitrophenyl acetate (p-NPA), revealing both high catalytic efficiency and functional stability. Ultimately, this study provides a facile and robust approach for the development of enzyme-based biocatalyst (BCA@zeolite) with significant potential for sustainable CO₂ capture and utilization technologies.