Carbon dioxide: No longer a global menace: A future source for chemicals

Abstract

Carbon dioxide is a major cause for global warming and believed as potential basis for climate change. The recent advances in catalysis and chemistry have made promising developments to make use of CO2 as feed stock for many intermediate chemicals. This article discusses various strategies and methods available for such applications. The use of ‘captured CO2′ as a petrochemical feedstock for the production of several value added-chemicals in the petrochemical industry provides an option to address several million tons of CO2 emissions per year consequences while increasing independence from fossil fuels. Here we include a summary on CO2 reduction using major catalysis such as photo-catalytic, electro-catalytic, and heterogeneous catalysts to transform CO2 into useful bulk products. This review also briefly explains the current practices, demand and supply gap on selected products, and market value of CO2. Also, this gives an overview of demo units across the world on processes utilizing CO2 as feedstock. With adequate progress in political and institutional infrastructure, technological & scientific advancements may help in regulating and stabilizing atmospheric CO2 levels. Using this approach, transforming CO2 into chemicals and energy products is a promising way not only to minimize CO2 emissions but also to create more economic value.