Catalytic conversion of ferrous carbonate to higher hydrocarbons under mild conditions and its application in transformation of CO2 to liquid fuels

Abstract

The generation of liquid fuels of higher hydrocarbons under mild conditions by consuming CO₂ would bring about many economic and environmental benefits. Here we report a finding that Pt and Ru nanoparticles deposited on FeCO₃ could catalyze the conversion of carbonate ions in FeCO₃ and H₂ to higher hydrocarbons under mild conditions. Coupling this new reaction route with the carbonation of formed surface ferrous species resulted in the conversion of CO₂ and H₂ to higher hydrocarbons (C₂–C₂₆) at low or even ambient temperatures due to the low activation-energy for CH_x coupling in the process. At 40 °C, the selectivity for C₅–C₂₆ hydrocarbons and C₂⁺ compounds reached 49.6% and 77.7%, respectively. This finding sheds a new light on regenerating multi-carbon energy carriers in a sustainable manner.