Photothermal CO2 Hydrogenation to Multicarbon Products: Mechanisms, Catalyst Design, and Scale Demonstration.

Abstract

Photothermal CO2 hydrogenation to multicarbon products presents a promising route to mitigate global climate change while simultaneously generating valuable C2+ products for industrial use. However, realizing high activity and selectivity toward multicarbon products remains a significant challenge, primarily due to the intricate nature of reactant activation and the inherently sluggish kinetics of C-C coupling. This review elucidates the fundamental principles of photothermal catalysis, with a particular focus on the synergistic interplay between light and thermal energy. In addition, the activation pathways of CO2 to C1 intermediates and the subsequent mechanisms of C-C bond formation leading to multicarbon products are systematically examined. On this basis, catalyst design and modification strategies are categorized to enhance reactant activation and facilitate efficient C-C coupling. Furthermore, recent progress in pilot-scale demonstrations is highlighted to showcase the potential for scalable and sustainable CO2 hydrogenation technologies. By addressing the current challenges and outlining future research directions, this review aims to accelerate the development of efficient photothermal processes for CO2 valorization.

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