Overcoming thermodynamic incompatibilities with photons: multi-carbon hydrocarbons from methane and carbon dioxide via a hybrid photocatalytic dry reforming/Fischer–Tropsch process

Abstract

Combining methane dry reforming (DRM) and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) enables the conversion of greenhouse gases into valuable hydrocarbons via syngas. However, DRM and FTS have contradictory thermodynamic conditions. This study demonstrates that a photocatalyst can reconcile DRM and FTS at an identical temperature and pressure (280 °C, 2.0 MPa). This achievement offers a new perspective on using photocatalysts to promote coupling reactions under high-pressure gas-phase conditions.