Novel Heterogeneous Catalysts for CO Hydrogenation to Liquid Fuels.

Carbon dioxide (CO) hydrogenation to liquid fuels including gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, methanol, ethanol, and other higher alcohols via heterogeneous catalysis, using renewable energy, not only effectively alleviates environmental problems caused by massive CO emissions, but also reduces our excessive dependence on fossil fuels. In this Outlook, we review the latest development in the design of novel and very promising heterogeneous catalysts for direct CO hydrogenation to methanol, liquid hydrocarbons, and higher alcohols. Compared with methanol production, the synthesis of products with two or more carbons (C) faces greater challenges. Highly efficient synthesis of C products from CO hydrogenation can be achieved by a reaction coupling strategy that first converts CO to carbon monoxide or methanol and then conducts a C-C coupling reaction over a bifunctional/multifunctional catalyst. Apart from the catalytic performance, unique catalyst design ideas, and structure-performance relationship, we also discuss current challenges in catalyst development and perspectives for industrial applications.