Chapter 5. Present and future prospects in heterogeneous catalysts for C1 chemistry

Abstract

Widespread academic and industrial interest in upgrading C 1 compounds, such as carbon dioxide and methane, to chemicals and fuels has spurred development on heterogeneous catalysts that efficiently activate these compounds from their thermodynamically stable ground states. Existing challenges persist in achieving both activity and selectivity of the various bond-breaking and bond-forming reactions. We highlight various successes in using metal nanoparticles, redox-active metal oxide supports, and zeolite catalysts in converting carbon dioxide and methane to value-added chemicals, such as methanol. We then present several recent advances in catalyst concepts -specifically, the use of ionic liquids and complex materials -and characterization tools that we anticipate will drive C 1 process development over the next decade.

Significant Advances in C1 Catalysis: Highly Efficient Catalysts and Catalytic Reactions

“…27 Methane reforming to syngas is strongly endothermic and requires temperatures above 600 °C. 28 The most widely used technologies include steam reforming (SRM), 29−31 dry reforming (DRM), 32,33 partial oxidation (POM), 34,35 and autothermal reforming (ARM). 36,37 The used catalysts, oxidants, H 2 /CO ratio, and energetics differ between these processes.…”

“…Currently utilized commercial routes for methane activation involve the methane conversion into syngas via a reforming reaction, and the subsequent conversion into fuels or chemicals . Methane reforming to syngas is strongly endothermic and requires temperatures above 600 °C . The most widely used technologies include steam reforming (SRM), − dry reforming (DRM), , partial oxidation (POM), , and autothermal reforming (ARM). , The used catalysts, oxidants, H 2 /CO ratio, and energetics differ between these processes .…”