Bioinspired porous cementitious materials for CO₂ capture: A critical review of accelerated carbonation strategies

This critical review presents a comprehensive synthesis of recent advances in the development of bioinspired porous cementitious materials for enhanced CO₂ capture via accelerated carbonation. Addressing the urgent demand for sustainable construction solutions, the study consolidates current literature on pore structure optimisation including pore size, distribution, interconnectivity, and specific surface area and their influence on carbonation kinetics and sequestration efficiency. Inspired by hierarchical biological systems such as corals, mollusc shells, and marine sponges, the review explores the translation of structural and functional principles into cementitious matrices. A comparative analysis of key accelerated carbonation strategies standard curing, pressurised systems, flow-through techniques, and water CO₂ cooperative processes is provided, highlighting their mechanistic bases, process parameters, and industrial scalability. The technological readiness and real-world applicability of CO₂-mineralising concrete are assessed through selected industrial case studies, contextualised within circular economy and carbon neutrality frameworks. Finally, the review identifies critical knowledge gaps and outlines future research directions to advance next-generation low-carbon cementitious materials that integrate mechanical performance, tailored porosity, and environmental functionality.