CO2 Conversion via Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction Using Fully Selective Mo-P Multicomponent Catalysts

The reverse water gas shift reaction (RWGS) has attracted much attention as a potential means to widespread utilization of CO2 through the production of synthesis gas. However, for commercial implementation of RWGS at the scales needed to replace fossil feedstocks with CO2, new catalysts must be developed using earth abundant materials, and these catalysts must suppress the competing methanation reaction completely while maintaining stable performance at elevated temperatures and high conversions producing large quantities of water. Herein we identify molybdenum phosphide (MoP) as a nonprecious metal catalyst that satisfies these requirements. Supported MoP catalysts completely suppress methana-tion while undergoing minimal deactivation, opening up possibilities for their use in CO2 utilization.

Automated summary

The reverse water gas shift reaction (RWGS) is attracting attention as a potential method for utilizing CO2 to produce synthesis gas. Molybdenum phosphide (MoP) has been identified as a nonprecious metal catalyst that completely suppresses the competing methanation reaction, making it suitable for CO2 utilization.