CO2 conversion by reverse water gas shift catalysis: comparison of catalysts, mechanisms and their consequences for CO2 conversion to liquid fuels

Abstract

Current society is inherently based on liquid hydrocarbon fuel economies and seems to be so for the foreseeable future. Due to the low rates (photocatalysis) and high capital investments (solar-thermo-chemical cycles) of competing technologies, reverse water gas shift (rWGS) catalysis appears as the prominent technology for converting CO₂ to CO, which can then be converted via CO hydrogenation to a liquid fuel of choice (diesel, gasoline, and alcohols). This approach has the advantage of high rates, selectivity, and technological readiness, but requires renewable hydrogen generation from direct (photocatalysis) or indirect (electricity and electrolysis) sources. The goal of this review is to examine the literature on rWGS catalyst types, catalyst mechanisms, and the implications of their use CO₂ conversion processes in the future.