Method of preparing a sorbent material, (i) obtaining a particulate material comprising a source of oxides and/or hydroxides of at least one metal element and a source of ions of at least one alkaline earth metal element, and (ii) reacting the particulate material with an atmosphere comprising carbon dioxide in the presence of water to form carbonates of at least one alkaline earth metal element, thereby obtaining the sorbent material, such that a difference in total inorganic carbon content of the sorbent material with respect to the particulate material is at least 0.5%. The at least one metal element is at least one element selected from any one of group 4, 7, 8, 13 and 14 of the periodic table. The particulate material comprises at least 20% by dry weight of the at least one metal element and at least 5% by dry weight of the at least one alkaline earth metal element. The sorbent material comprises oxides and/or hydroxides of at least one metal element and a total inorganic carbon content of at least 0.5% by weight.