## 1 Introduction  
Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), a sub-family of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), have garnered significant attention for their exceptional characteristics, including high surface area, porous structure, and permeability flexibility [1]. The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide (CO\({}_{2}\)) in the atmosphere is a primary driver of global warming and climate change, exacerbated by the extensive use of fossil fuels for energy production [2]. Over the past six decades, CO\({}_{2}\) levels have risen by approximately 100 ppm, with projections indicating further increases due to ongoing fossil fuel dependence [3]. Despite stringent policies by global entities like the European Union, CO\({}_{2}\) emissions continue to rise, highlighting the urgent need for efficient CO\({}_{2}\) capture and reduction strategies [4, 5]. Various CO\({}_{2}\) capture technologies have been explored to address this challenge, including absorption, adsorption, membrane separation, and cryogenic processes. Current state-of-the-art adsorbent materials for CO\({}_{2}\) adsorption include a variety of solids such as zeolites, activated carbons, MOFs, and amine-functionalized materials. Zero-lites, with their high surface area and tunable pore structure, have been widely used due to their strong affinity for CO\({}_{2}\); however, their performance can be limited by moisture sensitivity [6]. Activated carbons are favored for their cost-effectiveness and large surface area, though they often lack selectivity [7]. MOFs, known for their customizable frameworks, offer excellent tunability in adsorption behavior but can be challenging to scale up for industrial use [8]. Amine-functionalized materials, including mesoporous silica, show great promise due to their ability to chemically interact with CO\({}_{2}\), enabling high selectivity and capacity [9]. Despite these advancements, the search continues for materials that combine high CO\({}_{2}\) uptake, stability under varying conditions, and cost effectiveness, making this an active area of research. Among these, adsorption using advanced materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer a promising solution due to its high efficiency, low energy consumption, and ease of industrial application [10]. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), a subfamily of MOFs, have emerged as particularly attractive candidates for CO\({}_{2}\) capture due to their exceptional properties, including high surface area, tunable pore structures, chemical stability, and selective adsorption capabilities [11; 12; 13]. ZIF-8, composed of zinc ions coordinated with 2-methylimidazole linkers, features a unique framework with interconnected pores (1.16 nm cavities and 0.34 nm windows), making it highly effective for gas separation and storage applications [14; 15]. The superior thermal and chemical stability of ZIF-8, combined with its rapid and fully reversible adsorption/desorption characteristics, position it as a leading material for CO\({}_{2}\) capture [16; 17; 18]. While ZIF-8 has been widely studied for gas separation, incorporating it into functional materials for practical applications remains an area of active research. Recent advances have demonstrated the integration of ZIF-8 into composite materials, such as membranes and filters, to enhance CO\({}_{2}\) adsorption performance [19; 20; 21]. However, the development of ZIF-8-based air filters using cellulose as a supporting matrix represents a novel approach that combines the advantages of MOFs with the sustainable and porous nature of cellulose fibers. Softwood kraft pulp, known for its high surface area, hydrophobicity, and extensive porosity, provides an ideal medium for ZIF-8 integration, offering enhanced contact between CO\({}_{2}\) molecules and the adsorbent surface [22; 23; 24]. In this study, we present the rapid synthesis and characterization of ZIF-8 and its integration into a cellulose-based air filter (ZCAF) to create a high-performance material for CO\({}_{2}\) capture.