Transition Metal Carbides: Emerging CO2 Hydrogenation Catalysts, from Recent Advance to Future Exploration

Transition metal carbides (TMCs) have emerged as highly intriguing materials for CO2 hydrogenation, primarily due to their excellent ability on CO2 adsorption and activation, strong metal-support interaction (SMSI), as well as the engineered metal/TMCs or TMCs/substrate interfaces for fine-tuning of activity and selectivity. In this review, the strategies of modulating the structure and properties of TMCs to attain desirable products in CO2 hydrogenation are discussed from the following perspectives: 1) Manipulation of metal/C ratios or atomic arrangements; 2) Incorporation of heteroatom on TMCs to construct TMCs composites; 3) Enhancement of TMC nanoparticles dispersion; 4) In situ generation of TMCs induced by reactions. Such strategies in TMC structural engineering are key factors affecting the catalytic behaviors of TMCs and provide fundamental understanding and guidance for the future application of TMCs in CO2 hydrogenation.

Automated summary

This review discusses strategies for modulating the structure and properties of transition metal carbides (TMCs) to achieve desired products in CO2 hydrogenation. By manipulating the metal/carbon ratio or atomic arrangement, incorporating heteroatoms to construct TMC composites, enhancing the dispersion of TMC nanoparticles, and in situ generation of TMCs, the catalytic behavior of TMCs can be fine-tuned.