Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol over Non−Cu‐based Heterogeneous Catalysts

Abstract

The increasing atmospheric CO 2 level makes CO 2 reduction an urgent challenge facing the world. Catalytic transformation of CO 2 into chemicals and fuels utilizing renewable energy is one of the promising approaches toward alleviating CO 2 emissions. In particular, the selective hydrogenation of CO 2 to methanol utilizing renewable hydrogen potentially enables large scale transformation of CO 2. The Cu‐based catalysts have been extensively investigated in CO 2 hydrogenation. However, it is not only limited by long‐term instability but also displays unsatisfactory catalytic performance. The supported metal‐based catalysts (Pd, Pt, Au, and Ag) can achieve high methanol selectivity at low temperatures. The mixed oxide catalysts represented by M a ZrOx (M a=Zn, Ga, and Cd) solid solution catalysts present high methanol selectivity and catalytic activity as well as excellent stability. This Review focuses on the recent advances in developing Non−Cu‐based heterogeneous catalysts and current understandings of catalyst design and catalytic performance. First, the thermodynamics of CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol is discussed. Then, the progress in supported metal‐based catalysts, bimetallic alloys or intermetallic compounds catalysts, and mixed oxide catalysts is discussed. Finally, a summary and a perspective are presented.