Efficient approaches to overcome challenges in material development for conventional and intensified CO2 catalytic hydrogenation to CO, methanol, and DME

The 21st century is currently marked globally by an enormous growth in anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Among numerous portfolios to address the serious problems caused by this major greenhouse gas, CO2 capture and utilization remain one of the most interesting solutions. In this regard, the staggering CO2 effluents present in the atmosphere could become an abundant chemical feedstock if they were converted into valuable products. Catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 into value-added chemicals and alternative fuels is one of the appealing green strategies to valorize this carbon-containing feedstock, while also contributing to alleviate the global CO2 emissions. This state-of-the-art review highlights a wide range of heterogeneous catalysts and innovative processes for direct CO2 hydrogenation into CO, methanol (MeOH), and dimethyl ether (DME). To overcome catalyst deactivation and improve catalytic performance, we discuss active phases in detail and emphasize the preparation methods, catalytic supports, metal-based catalysts, and synergistic effects. Another essential hurdle is low CO2 conversion related to the thermodynamical stability of CO2, which restricts its use as a reagent on an industrial scale. The state-of-the-art sorption-enhanced process reveals that, by choosing an appropriate water sorbent, it is feasible to overcome the thermodynamic limitation. Therefore, the later part of this review focusses on recent modelling and experimental applications of this integrated process in CO2 hydrogenation for the synthesis of CO, MeOH, and DME.

Automated summary

The 21st century is marked by a significant increase in global carbon dioxide emissions, with carbon capture and utilization as an interesting solution. Catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 into chemicals and fuels can help alleviate global CO2 emissions.