Multifunctional heterogeneous catalysts for the tandem CO2 hydrogenation-Fischer Tropsch synthesis of gasoline

The design of novel catalysts for the direct transformation of CO2 into gasoline is a promising valorization strategy for renewable liquid fuels. However, this process is highly challenging given the inertness of CO2 and the thermodynamic limitations of its selective hydrogenation into C5+ hydrocarbons over more favored CH4 or CO byproducts. Thus, active, selective and stable multifunctional heterogeneous catalysts are needed in order to promote both the dissociative CO2 chemisorption and chain growth of the CHx species at the solid-gas interface under mild conditions (T < 400 degrees C, P < 50 bar). Several iron-containing multifunctional catalysts based on metal oxides, carbon or zeolite materials are reviewed here, discussing their preparation, characterization and catalytic performance in this environmentally and industrially relevant application, proposing future directions of the field.