Recent Understanding of Water-Assisted CO₂ Hydrogenation to Alcohols

Author(s)

Vieira, Luiz H. ; da Silva, Alisson H. M. ; Santana, Cassia S. ; Assaf, Elisabete M. ; Assaf, Jose M. ; Gomes, Janaina F.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMCATCHEM; v. 16, n. 11, p. 9-pg., 2024-03-08.

Abstract

Alcohol production from CO2 hydrogenation is a cutting-edge process in sustainable chemistry that holds vast promise for addressing climate change by recycling and repurposing emissions. Many strategies have been proposed to improve the process efficiency. In-situ generated, and trace amounts of water added to the feed stream have recently proved to be determinant to promote key reaction steps, increasing alcohol selectivity and yield. Here, we discuss the main findings that led to an atomic-level understanding of water promotional effects in CO2 hydrogenation to alcohols. H2O and the products resultant from its dissociation (OH and O) can act in different ways, stabilizing intermediates and active sites or participating in the hydrogen transfer mechanisms during the reaction. Gaining insights into the mechanisms underlying water promotion offers a cost-effective strategy for enhancing alcohol production efficiency. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/10615-1 - Consolidation of the biorefinery concept applied to the biological treatment of wastewater and solid wastes
• Grantee: Marcelo Zaiat
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 23/05285-5 - Development of catalytic adsorbents for application in the integrated CO2 capture and conversion
• Grantee: Luiz Henrique Vieira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Generation Project
• FAPESP's process: 17/08420-0 - Multi-approaches strategies for converting CO2 to platform molecules and value-added chemicals: catalysis and electrocatalysis investigations
• Grantee: Janaina Fernandes Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/06419-2 - Development of catalytic adsorbents for application in the integrated CO2 capture and conversion
• Grantee: Luiz Henrique Vieira
• Support Opportunities: Generation Project Research Grant