Production of high-calorie synthetic natural gas via CO2 hydrogenation over robust Fe–Co bimetal catalysts

Abstract

Catalytic conversion of CO₂ into high-calorie synthetic natural gas (HCSNG) is a desirable pathway for both carbon mitigation and sustainable energy supply. Herein, we report a highly efficient Fe–Co bimetallic catalyst prepared via a simple co-precipitation method. By balancing the C–C coupling and hydrogenation functionality by adjusting the Fe/Co ratio, a high per-pass HCSNG yield of 55.9%, along with negligible olefin formation, was achieved over the Fe–16Co catalyst at 320 °C. This superior performance originates from the highly dispersed Fe and Co active sites with intimate proximity and abundant oxygen vacancies, which promote CO₂ adsorption and balance the C–C coupling and hydrogenation functions. Moreover, the Fe–16Co catalyst shows excellent durability over a time on stream of 1000 h, maintaining a relatively stable hydrocarbon distribution. This work offers an effective strategy for sustainable HCSNG synthesis and carbon-neutral fuel production.