Anthropogenic emissions of CO2 from industrial processes are considered the major cause of global warming and ocean acidification. To this end, different abatement strategies have been sought to capture CO2 directly from various effluent sources. Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) has been touted to solve this problem; however, due to the challenges associated with this approach, research efforts have been focused on the development of dual-function materials (DFMs) that can effectively capture and convert CO2 to value-added products. In this review, we first describe existent CO2 capture processes, followed by relevant CO2 adsorbents. Then, we focus on the development of DFMs for CO2 capture and conversion through various reaction pathways, such as methanation, reverse water-gas shift, and dry reforming. We also elaborate on the challenges associated with these systems with emphasis on the stability and regenerability of the materials. Finally, some future perspectives and possible areas of study are highlighted.

One of the most significant challenges in the use of heterogeneous catalysts is the loss of activity and/or selectivity with time on stream, and researchers have explored different methods to overcome this problem. Recently, the coating of catalysts to control their deactivation has generated much research traction. This Review is aimed at studying different encapsulation techniques employed for controlling catalyst deactivation. Focus is given to the prevention of irreversible modes of deactivation, such as sintering and leaching. In this Review, we elaborate on different entrapment methods used to protect catalysts from deactivation in both liquid and gas reaction media. Relevant probe reactions are discussed with emphasis on the catalyst activity and stability. Challenges associated with those processes are also described with emphasis on the mass transfer limitations as a result of the coverage of the active sites. Finally, some future perspectives and areas for possible improvement are highlighted.

The hydrogenation of CO 2 to methanol using heterogeneous catalysts is an appealing route for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and generating useful products. The synthesis of methanol is attractive due to its utilization as a fuel, a fuel additive, or an intermediate for a wide array of industrial chemicals. Traditional catalytic systems, like those based on Cu or Ni, have been extensively explored but have thus far shown limited conversion and selectivity to desired products like methanol primarily due to the chemical stability of CO 2 . These catalysts are also difficult to use industrially due to the high pressures and temperatures needed for these catalytic reactions. In the search for improvements in the reaction rates, conversion, and selectivity to liquid products, inverse oxide/metal catalysts have been recently explored and have yielded promising results. This review summarizes the latest advances in the use of inverse catalysts for the hydrogenation of CO 2 to methanol. First, this review focuses on some strategies for synthesizing inverse oxide/metal catalysts. Next, the relationship between the interfacial properties and the catalytic activity is reviewed, emphasizing the nature of the oxide layer and its dispersion on the metal surface. Lastly, the activities of inverse catalysts and materials prepared by traditional synthesis approaches are compared.