Water-Enhanced Synthesis of Higher Alcohols from CO2Hydrogenation over a Pt/Co3O4Catalyst under Milder Conditions

Tuning the Electronic Properties of CumAgn Bimetallic Clusters for Enhanced CO2 Activation

The urgent demand for efficient CO2 reduction technologies has driven enormous studies into the enhancement of advanced catalysts. Here, we investigate the electronic properties and CO2 adsorption properties of CumAgn bimetallic clusters, particularly Cu4Ag1, Cu1Ag4, Cu3Ag2, and Cu2Ag3, using generalized gradient approximation (GGA)/density functional theory (DFT). Our results show that the atomic arrangement within these clusters drastically affects their stability, charge transfer, and catalytic performance. The Cu4Ag1 bimetallic cluster emerges as the most stable structure, revealing superior charge transfer and effective chemisorption of CO2, which promotes effective activation of the CO2 molecule. In contrast, the Cu1Ag4 bimetallic cluster, in spite of comparable adsorption energy, indicates insignificant charge transfer, resulting in less pronounced CO2 activation. The Cu3Ag2 and Cu2Ag3 bimetallic clusters also display high adsorption energies with remarkable charge transfer mechanisms, emphasizing the crucial role of metal composition in tuning catalytic characteristics. This thorough examination provides constructive insights into the design of bimetallic clusters for boosted CO2 reduction. These findings could pave the way for the development of cost-effective and efficient catalysts for industrial CO2 reduction, contributing to global efforts in carbon management and climate change mitigation.

Green Carbon Science: Efficient Carbon Resource Processing, Utilization, and Recycling Towards Carbon Neutrality

Green carbon science is defined as "Study and optimization of the transformation of carbon containing compounds and the relevant processes involved in the entire carbon cycle from carbon resource processing, carbon energy utilization, and carbon recycling to use carbon resources efficiently and minimize the net CO2 emission." [1] Green carbon science is related closely to carbon neutrality, and the relevant fields have developed quickly in the last decade. In this Minireview, we proposed the concept of carbon energy index, and the recent progresses in petroleum refining, production of liquid fuels, chemicals, and materials using coal, methane, CO2, biomass, and waste plastics are highlighted in combination with green carbon science, and an outlook for these important fields is provided in the final section.

Pd Nanoparticles Supported on Triangle-Shaped La2 O2 CO3 Nanosheets: A New Highly Efficient and Durable Catalyst for Selective Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde to Hydrocinnamaldehyde

A catalyst in which Pd nanoparticles are supported on triangle-shaped La₂ O₂ CO₃ nanosheets exposing predominantly the (001) planes (Pd/La₂ O₂ CO₃ -TNS; where TNS denotes triangular nanosheets) was prepared by a facile solvothermal method. The Pd/La₂ O₂ CO₃ -TNS catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic activity and recycling stability for hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to hydrocinnamaldehyde with turnover frequency of up to 41 238 h^-1 . This enhanced activity of Pd/La₂ O₂ CO₃ -TNS results from strong metal-support interactions. Structure analysis and characterization demonstrated that surface-oxygen-enriched La₂ O₂ CO₃ -TNS supports exposing (001) planes are beneficial to charge transfer between the Pd nanoparticles and triangle-shaped La₂ O₂ CO₃ nanosheets and increase the electron density of Pd. Moreover, the modulated electronic states of the Pd/La₂ O₂ CO₃ -TNS catalysts can enhance the adsorption and activation of hydrogen to enhance the hydrogenation activity.

Hydroxyl-mediated ethanol selectivity of CO2 hydrogenation

Oxide-supported Rh nanoparticles have been widely used for CO2 hydrogenation, especially for ethanol synthesis. However, this reaction operates under high pressure, up to 8 MPa, and suffers from low CO2 conversion and alcohol selectivity. This paper describes the crucial role of hydroxyl groups bound on Rh-based catalysts supported on TiO2 nanorods (NRs). The RhFeLi/TiO2 NR catalyst shows superior reactivity (≈15% conversion) and ethanol selectivity (32%) for CO2 hydrogenation. The promoting effect can be attributed to the synergism of high Rh dispersion and high-density hydroxyl groups on TiO2 NRs. Hydroxyls are proven to stabilize formate species and protonate methanol, which is easily dissociated into *CH x , and then CO obtained from the reverse water-gas shift reaction (RWGS) is inserted into *CH x to form CH3CO*, followed by CH3CO* hydrogenation to ethanol.

Theoretical insight into the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 with different metal ratios and reaction mechanisms on palladium-copper alloys

Environmental impacts of continued CO2 production have led to an increased need for new methods of CO2 removal and energy development. Electrochemical reduction of CO2 has been shown to be a good method through recent studies. Alloys are of special interest for these applications, because of their unique chemical and physical properties that allow for highly active surfaces. Here, PdnCum (m + n = 15 and n > m) bimetallic electrocatalysts were used for systematic studies to understand the effect of the composition of Pd and Cu on the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO. In particular, the Pd-Cu alloy with the Pd/Cu = 2/1 atomic ratio (i.e., Pd10Cu5) has the best catalytic effect, particularly true at the step of the hydrogenation of CO2 to COOH, and the Pd10Cu5 catalyst is better than most known electrodes. With the energetic analysis of the proposed reaction pathways over the Pd10Cu5 catalyst, the limiting voltages for CO2 reduction to CH3OH, CH4, and CH3CH2O have been compared. Most importantly, the kinetic model analysis showed that the rate constant values indicate that the probability of generating C2H5OH on the Pd10Cu5 catalyst is greater than that of CH3OH or CH4. The findings revealed in this study may shed some light on the design of cost-effective and efficient electrocatalysts for CO2 conversion to CO or to other useful hydrocarbons.

A route to support Pt sub-nanoparticles on TiO2 and catalytic hydrogenation of quinoline to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline at room temperature

We report a method to support Pt sub-nanoparticles on TiO₂.

Prominent Electron Penetration through Ultrathin Graphene Layer from FeNi Alloy for Efficient Reduction of CO2 to CO

The chemical transformation of CO₂ is an efficient approach in low-carbon energy system. The development of nonprecious metal catalysts with sufficient activity, selectivity, and stability for the generation of CO by CO₂ reduction under mild conditions remains a major challenge. A hierarchical architecture catalyst composed of ultrathin graphene shells (2-4 layers) encapsulating homogeneous FeNi alloy nanoparticles shows enhance catalytic performance. Electron transfer from the encapsulated alloy can extend from the inner to the outer shell, resulting in an increased charge density on graphene. Nitrogen atom dopants can synergistically increase the electron density on the catalyst surface and modulate the adsorption capability for acidic CO₂ molecules. The optimized FeNi₃ @NG (NG=N-doped graphene) catalyst, with significant electron penetration through the graphene layer, effects exceptional CO₂ conversion of 20.2 % with a CO selectivity of nearly 100 %, as well as excellent thermal stability at 523 K.

Synthesis of Asymmetrical Organic Carbonates using CO2 as a Feedstock in AgCl/Ionic Liquid System at Ambient Conditions

Synthesis of asymmetrical organic carbonates from the renewable and inexpensive CO₂ is of great importance but also challenging, especially at ambient conditions. Herein, we found that some metal salt/ionic liquid catalyst systems were highly active for the synthesis of asymmetrical organic carbonates from CO₂ , propargylic alcohols, and primary alcohols. Especially, the AgCl/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Bmim][OAc]) system was very efficient for the reactions of a wide range of substrates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and the yields of the asymmetrical organic carbonates could approach 100 %. The catalyst system could be reused at least five times without changing its catalytic performance, and could be easily recovered and reused. A detailed study indicated that AgCl and [Bmim][OAc] catalyzed the reactions cooperatively, resulting in unique catalytic performance.

Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation into Higher Hydrocarbons and Oxygenates: Thermodynamic and Kinetic Bounds and Progress with Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Catalysis

Under specific scenarios, the catalytic hydrogenation of CO₂ with renewable hydrogen is considered a suitable route for the chemical recycling of this environmentally harmful and chemically refractory molecule into added-value energy carriers and chemicals. The hydrogenation of CO₂ into C₁ products, such as methane and methanol, can be achieved with high selectivities towards the corresponding hydrogenation product. More challenging, however, is the selective production of high (C₂₊ ) hydrocarbons and oxygenates. These products are desired as energy vectors, owing to their higher volumetric energy density and compatibility with the current fuel infrastructure than C₁ compounds, and as entry platform chemicals for existing value chains. The major challenge is the optimal integration of catalytic functionalities for both reductive and chain-growth steps. This Minireview summarizes the progress achieved towards the hydrogenation of CO₂ to C₂₊ hydrocarbons and oxygenates, covering both solid and molecular catalysts and processes in the gas and liquid phases. Mechanistic aspects are discussed with emphasis on intrinsic kinetic limitations, in some cases inevitably linked to thermodynamic bounds through the concomitant reverse water-gas-shift reaction, which should be considered in the development of advanced catalysts and processes.