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Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis
Research Guide
What is Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis?
Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis is the application of catalytic processes to convert carbon dioxide as a feedstock into value-added chemicals, including cyclic carbonates, formic acid, and polyurethanes through reactions such as hydrogenation and organic transformations.
This field encompasses 40,325 works focused on sustainable catalytic conversion of CO2. Key processes include hydrogenation to formic acid and formation of cyclic carbonates using homogeneous catalysts. Research emphasizes CO2 as a renewable feedstock for chemical synthesis.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Catalytic Hydrogenation of CO2 to Formic Acid
This sub-topic examines homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for converting CO2 and H2 into formic acid under mild conditions. Researchers investigate catalyst design, reaction mechanisms, and process optimization for scalable H2 storage.
CO2 Cycloaddition to Epoxides for Cyclic Carbonates
This area focuses on metal and organocatalysts for the reaction of CO2 with epoxides to form cyclic carbonates as non-toxic solvents and polymers. Studies emphasize catalyst recyclability, reaction scope, and industrial viability.
Homogeneous Catalysts for CO2 in Organic Transformations
Researchers develop transition metal complexes for CO2 insertion into C-H bonds, hydrofunctionalization, and carboxylation reactions. Work includes ligand effects, selectivity control, and mechanistic insights via spectroscopy.
Electroreduction of CO2 to Fuels and Chemicals
This sub-topic covers electrocatalysts like Cu-based materials for CO2 reduction to CO, ethylene, and ethanol at low overpotentials. Research addresses selectivity, stability, and integration with renewables.
CO2 Utilization in Polyurethane Synthesis
Studies explore catalytic routes to polyols from CO2 and epoxides for polyurethane foams and elastomers. Focus is on high CO2 incorporation, material properties, and life-cycle assessments.
Why It Matters
Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis enables sustainable chemical production by transforming atmospheric CO2 into fuels and materials, addressing global warming impacts noted in rising emissions. Wang et al. (2011) in "Recent advances in catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide" highlight strategies like CO2 separation, storage, and utilization to mitigate atmospheric concentrations, with hydrogenation producing formic acid as a hydrogen storage medium. Aresta et al. (2013) in "Catalysis for the Valorization of Exhaust Carbon: from CO2 to Chemicals, Materials, and Fuels. Technological Use of CO2" detail industrial applications converting exhaust CO2 to chemicals and fuels. Qiao et al. (2013) in "A review of catalysts for the electroreduction of carbon dioxide to produce low-carbon fuels" identify electrocatalysts yielding products like CO, HCOOH, CH4, and C2H4, supporting low-carbon fuel production. Sakakura et al. (2007) in "Transformation of Carbon Dioxide" cover conversions to polycarbonates and urea, demonstrating practical scalability in polymer industries.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Transformation of Carbon Dioxide" by Sakakura et al. (2007) provides a broad foundational review of CO2 conversion reactions suitable for initial reading.
Key Papers Explained
Sakakura et al. (2007) in "Transformation of Carbon Dioxide" establishes core chemical transformations, which Wang et al. (2011) in "Recent advances in catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide" build upon by focusing on hydrogenation mechanisms. Aresta et al. (2013) in "Catalysis for the Valorization of Exhaust Carbon: from CO2 to Chemicals, Materials, and Fuels. Technological Use of CO2" extends these to industrial valorization processes. Qiao et al. (2013) in "A review of catalysts for the electroreduction of carbon dioxide to produce low-carbon fuels" complements with electrocatalytic pathways detailed in Sakakura et al.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Current frontiers involve optimizing electrocatalysts for low-carbon fuels as reviewed by Qiao et al. (2013), alongside scalable hydrogenation from Wang et al. (2011). De Luna et al. (2019) in "What would it take for renewably powered electrosynthesis to displace petrochemical processes?" assess requirements for displacing fossil feedstocks with CO2 electrosynthesis.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hydrotalcite-type anionic clays: Preparation, properties and a... | 1991 | Catalysis Today | 5.8K | ✕ |
| 2 | Transformation of Carbon Dioxide | 2007 | Chemical Reviews | 3.8K | ✕ |
| 3 | A Literature Review of Poly(Lactic Acid) | 2001 | Journal of environment... | 3.6K | ✕ |
| 4 | Recent advances in catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide | 2011 | Chemical Society Reviews | 3.2K | ✕ |
| 5 | Late-Metal Catalysts for Ethylene Homo- and Copolymerization | 2000 | Chemical Reviews | 3.1K | ✕ |
| 6 | Physical and mechanical properties of PLA, and their functions... | 2016 | Advanced Drug Delivery... | 3.0K | ✓ |
| 7 | Catalysis for the Valorization of Exhaust Carbon: from CO<sub>... | 2013 | Chemical Reviews | 3.0K | ✕ |
| 8 | A review of catalysts for the electroreduction of carbon dioxi... | 2013 | Chemical Society Reviews | 2.9K | ✕ |
| 9 | Metal−Organic Frameworks with Exceptionally High Capacity for ... | 2005 | Journal of the America... | 2.8K | ✕ |
| 10 | What would it take for renewably powered electrosynthesis to d... | 2019 | Science | 2.7K | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main catalytic conversions of CO2?
Catalytic conversions of CO2 include hydrogenation to formic acid and formation of cyclic carbonates. Sakakura et al. (2007) in "Transformation of Carbon Dioxide" describe transformations to polycarbonates, urea, and cyclic carbonates. Aresta et al. (2013) in "Catalysis for the Valorization of Exhaust Carbon: from CO2 to Chemicals, Materials, and Fuels. Technological Use of CO2" emphasize production of chemicals, materials, and fuels from CO2.
How does catalytic hydrogenation utilize CO2?
Catalytic hydrogenation converts CO2 to formic acid and methanol using homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Wang et al. (2011) in "Recent advances in catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide" review progress in catalysts mitigating CO2 emissions through this process. The strategy reduces atmospheric CO2 concentrations via chemical synthesis.
What role do homogeneous catalysts play in CO2 utilization?
Homogeneous catalysts facilitate CO2 insertion into organic reactions for polyurethane and cyclic carbonate production. The field description notes their use in sustainable processes for chemical synthesis. Sakakura et al. (2007) detail their application in CO2 transformations.
What products result from electrocatalytic CO2 reduction?
Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction produces low-carbon fuels including CO, HCOOH, CH4, C2H4, and CH3OH. Qiao et al. (2013) in "A review of catalysts for the electroreduction of carbon dioxide to produce low-carbon fuels" classify metal, metal oxide, and organometallic electrocatalysts for these products. Type I isotherms in MOFs support related storage applications as per Millward and Yaghi (2005).
Why is CO2 considered a renewable feedstock?
CO2 serves as a renewable feedstock due to its abundance from industrial exhaust and atmospheric sources. Aresta et al. (2013) discuss its valorization into chemicals via catalysis. Wang et al. (2011) note its use counters global warming by converting emissions into useful products.
Open Research Questions
- ? What catalysts achieve high selectivity for multi-carbon products like C2H4 in CO2 electroreduction?
- ? How can homogeneous catalysts improve energy efficiency in CO2 hydrogenation to formic acid?
- ? Which scalable processes convert CO2 to polyurethanes without excessive pressure or temperature?
- ? What mechanisms enable CO2 insertion into epoxides for cyclic carbonate synthesis?
- ? How do late-metal catalysts enhance CO2 utilization in copolymerization reactions?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 40,325 works with sustained research on CO2 catalytic conversions, as no growth rate is specified.
Recent emphasis mirrors reviews like Wang et al. on hydrogenation and Qiao et al. (2013) on electroreduction, with De Luna et al. (2019) evaluating electrosynthesis viability against petrochemicals.
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