In an aqueous solution of $\ce{NaOH}$ exposed to the atmosphere one can probably expect some degree of $$\ce{NaOH(aq) + CO2(g) -> NaHCO3 (aq)}$$
But, what would happen if just a solid block of $\ce{NaOH(s)}$ was placed in some completely anhydrous environment, populated only by excess $\ce{CO2(g)}$ at STP? After all,
$$\ce{NaOH(s) + CO2(g) -> NaHCO3 (s)}$$
is technically a spontaneous process with $\Delta G^\circ = -76.91\ \mathrm{kJ/mol}$, but I can only think of three possibilities:
- Nothing happens—no water (i.e., as a catalyst), no reaction!
- A passivation layer of $\ce{NaHCO3(s)}$ forms on the surface, preventing the rest of the $\ce{NaOH(s)}$ inside from reacting^
- No passivation layer—the $\ce{NaOH(s)}$ just keeps reacting away until it's all $\ce{NaHCO3(s)}$!