Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for generating a hydrogel from a CO2 gas stream. The method for converting a CO2 gas stream comprising a CO2 into an ester, comprises the conversion of CO2 into a (COOH)2 preferably by passing the CO2 through a water bath to produce a carbonated water; and passing the carbonated water through a metal ion exchange bubble column comprising a M2(COO)2 to produce the (COOH)2 and a MHCO3; reacting the (COOH)2 with a mono-alcohol to obtain the ester. The invention further relates to a system for converting CO2.