Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (7): 100073.doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100073

• REVIEW • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Recent advances in synergistic catalytic valorization of CO2 and hydrocarbons by heterogeneous catalysis

Honghong Zhang1, Zhen Wei1,*(), Derek Hao2, Lin Jing1, Yuxi Liu1, Hongxing Dai1, Weiqin Wei3,*(), Jiguang Deng1,*()   

  1. 1 Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
    2 Centre for Atomaterials and Nanomanufacturing (CAN), School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne 3000, Australia
    3 Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
  • Received:2025-01-08 Revised:2025-02-05 Accepted:2025-02-25 Published:2025-05-22
  • Contact: Email: xfwz522@126.com (Zhen Wei)2306388562@pku.edu.cn (Weiqin Wei)jgdeng@bjut.edu.cn (Jiguang Deng)
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22406009); the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U23A20120); Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(B2021208033); R & D Program of Beijing Municipal Education Commission(KZ202210005011)

Abstract:

The escalating frequency of extreme weather events globally has necessitated immediate action to mitigate the impacts and threats posed by excessive greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). Consequently, reducing CO2 emissions has become imperative, with decarbonization techniques being extensively investigated worldwide to achieve net-zero emissions. From an energy perspective, CO2 represents an abundant and low-cost carbon resource that can be converted into high-value chemical products through reactions with hydrocarbons, including alkanes, alkenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and polyolefins. Through hydrogen transfer, CO2 can be reduced to CO, accompanied by the formation of H2O. CO2 and hydrocarbons can also be transformed into syngas (CO and H2) via dry reforming. Furthermore, CO2 can be incorporated into hydrocarbon molecules, resulting in carbon chain growth, such as the production of alcohols, carboxylic acids, and aromatics. However, due to the thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness of CO2, as well as the high bond energy and low polarity of hydrocarbon C―H bonds, the conversion of CO2 and hydrocarbons remains a highly challenging and demanding strategic objective. This review focuses on the synergistic catalytic valorization of CO2 and hydrocarbons using heterogeneous catalysts, summarizing recent advancements in coupling CO2 with various hydrocarbons. It also examines relevant kinetic models, including Langmuir-Hinshelwood and Eley-Rideal mechanisms. For catalyst design, bifunctional catalysts with distinct active sites can independently activate these two reactive molecules, and the modulation of acid-base properties, oxygen vacancies, and interfacial interactions represents an effective strategy to optimize catalytic performance. Finally, future directions for advancing CO2-hydrocarbon co-utilization technologies are proposed, along with recommendations for low-carbon development strategies.

Key words: CO2, Hydrocarbons, Synergistic catalytic valorization, Value-added chemicals, Heterogeneous catalysis