Heterogeneous Catalysis for CO2 Conversion into Chemicals and Fuels

Abstract

Catalytic conversion of CO2 into chemicals and fuels is a viable method to reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. Through thermal catalysis, electrocatalysis, and photo(electro)catalysis, CO2 can be converted into a wide range of valuable products, including CO, formic acid, methanol, methane, ethanol, acetic acid, propanol, light olefins, aromatics, and gasoline, as well as fine chemicals. In this mini-review, we summarize the recent progress in heterogeneous catalysis for CO2 conversion into chemicals and fuels and highlight some representative studies of different conversion routes. The structure–performance correlations of typical catalytic materials used for the CO2 conversion reactions have been revealed by combining advanced in situ/operando spectroscopy and microscopy characterizations and density functional theory calculations. Catalytic selectivity toward a single CO2 reduction product/fraction should be further improved at an industrially relevant CO2 conversion rate with considerable stability in the future. Graphical Abstract

Confinement of an alkaline environment for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction in acidic electrolytes

“…Converting CO 2 into value-added chemical feedstocks and fuels through the electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) driven by renewable electricity is an appealing pathway to develop a sustainable carbon cycle. [1][2][3] In order to boost the catalytic activity, alkaline or neutral electrolysis systems are widely employed to suppress the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which could also promote CO 2 activation and C-C coupling. [4][5][6][7][8][9] However, the inevitable reaction between CO 2 and local/bulk OH − in alkaline or neutral electrolytes would lead to undesired CO 2 consumption and crossover.…”

Guiding catalytic CO2 reduction to ethanol with copper grain boundaries

“…Electrochemical CO 2 reduction (CO 2 R) to valuable multi-carbon (C 2+ ) products offers a promising solution for alleviating the climate change crisis and storing renewable energy. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Copper (Cu) is by far the only metal that can reduce CO 2 to C 2+ products. [9][10][11][12][13][14] To date, many strategies, like oxide-derived processes, [15][16][17] surface morphology regulation, 18,19 nonmetal doping, 20,21 and alloying, 22,23 have been proposed to modify Cubased catalysts to further improve the activity and selectivity of CO 2 R to C 2+ products, especially ethanol.…”

Enhanced CH4 Selectivity in CO2 Hydrogenation on Bimetallic Pt–Ni Catalysts with Pt Nanoparticles Modified by Isolated Ni Atoms

“…3 Catalytic CO 2 hydrogenation has received much attention because it is a promising way to make higher value products. 4,5 For instance, catalytic CO 2 hydrogenation at atmospheric pressure mainly yields CH 4 via CO 2 methanation 6,7 and/or CO via the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction. 8−10 Noble-metal (Pt, 11 Au, 12 Pd, 13 Ru, 14 etc.)…”

“…The increasing emission of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) caused by human activity has led to many environmental concerns, such as global warming, ocean acidification, and so on. , A potential way to alleviate these problems is to convert a fraction of the emitted CO 2 into readily available chemicals or fuels . Catalytic CO 2 hydrogenation has received much attention because it is a promising way to make higher value products. , For instance, catalytic CO 2 hydrogenation at atmospheric pressure mainly yields CH 4 via CO 2 methanation , and/or CO via the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction. − …”