Abstract
Technological approaches which enable the effective utilization of CO2 for manufacturing value-added chemicals and fuels can help to solve environmental problems derived from large CO2 emissions associated with the use of fossil fuels. One of the most interesting products that can be synthesized from CO2 is methanol, since it is an industrial commodity used in several chemical products and also an efficient transportation fuel. In this review, we highlight the recent advances in the development of heterogeneous catalysts and processes for the direct hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol. The main efforts focused on the improvement of conventional Cu/ZnO based catalysts and the development of new catalytic systems targeting the specific needs for CO2 to methanol reactions (unfavourable thermodynamics, production of high amount of water and high methanol selectivity under high or full CO2 conversion). Major studies on the development of active and selective catalysts based on thermodynamics, mechanisms, nano-synthesis and catalyst design (active phase, promoters, supports, etc.) are highlighted in this review. Finally, a summary concerning future perspectives on the research and development of efficient heterogeneous catalysts for methanol synthesis from CO2 will be presented.
Highlights
The current world energy system is still mainly based on the use of fossil fuels and, the use of renewable energy sources has increased, it will continue in the medium and short term [1].This massive use of fossil fuels in industry and transport produce large amounts of CO2 emissions [2]that could reach 35.2 billion metric tons in 2020 [3]
This review reports the most significant advances made in the heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol and the barriers that need to be addressed, low conversion and methanol selectivity, over the coming years to convert this technology in a competitive process in the future systems of production and storage of energy and chemicals from renewable resources
Conclusions and Prospects characteristics of catalysts are the core for the selective catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol
Summary
The current world energy system is still mainly based on the use of fossil fuels and, the use of renewable energy sources has increased, it will continue in the medium and short term [1]. It is necessary to develop technological approaches to reduce these CO2 emissions associated with the use of fossil fuels which must include the capture and subsequent reutilization of the CO2 produced [2] In this scenario, to meet a climate target of limiting warming by 2 ◦ C, annual energy-related CO2 emissions still need to decline by 2050 from 35 Gt (in the current levels) to 9.7 Gt, a decrease of more than 70% [1]. Annual consumption of of than them, the synthesis ofof urea methanol are the predominant consumers of CO2 in industry with an annual consumption. 22and of more than the synthesis urea and methanol are theproducts predominant consumers offrom in with anan annual
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