CO2 hydrogenation over heterogeneous catalysts at atmospheric pressure: from electronic properties to product selectivity

• Published in: Green chemistry : an international journal and green chemistry resource : GC Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 249 - 267
• Main Authors: Wang, Yaning, Winter, Lea R, Chen, Jingguang G, Binhang Yan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 01.01.2021
• Subjects: Atmospheric pressure; Bimetals; Carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide emissions; Catalysts; catalytic activity; Chemical reduction; Energy efficiency; Green chemistry; High pressure; Hydrogenation; Intermediates; Metals; particle size; Properties (attributes); Selectivity
• ISSN: 1463-9262; 1463-9270; 1463-9270
• DOI: 10.1039/d0gc03506h

The production of chemicals and fuels via chemical reduction of CO2 by green H2 represents a promising means of mitigating CO2 emissions. The heterogeneous catalytic reaction of CO2 and H2 under atmospheric pressure primarily produces CO and CH4, while CH3OH and C2+ hydrocarbons are obtained at high pressure. Improving the catalytic selectivity improves the energy efficiency for a given yield and greatly reduces the downstream separation costs. In this work, we review the recent progress in tuning the selectivity of CO2 hydrogenation over heterogeneous catalysts at atmospheric pressure. We describe fundamental insights into the relationships among the electronic properties of active metals, the binding strengths of key intermediates, and the CO2 hydrogenation selectivity. The manipulation of the electronic properties, and consequently the product selectivity, can be achieved mainly by controlling the particle size, bimetallic effects, and strong metal–support interactions. Finally, we discuss challenges and opportunities for the rational design of CO2 hydrogenation catalysts with high activity and desired selectivity.