Mechanisms and kinetics of CO2 hydrogenation to value-added products: A detailed review on current status and future trends

Global warming, fossil fuel depletion and energy security are driving scientists to investigate the mechanism of hydrocarbons production from CO2 hydrogenation. The need for more comprehensive understanding on mechanism of CO2 hydrogenation to hydrocarbons remains controversial because of the complex reaction mechanism and a large number of involved species. The micromechanism of CO2 hydrogenation to hydrocarbons has been considered as a possible remedy to fulfill the requirements. This review comprehensively discusses two processes: reverse water gas shift (RWGS) and CO2 hydrogenation to hydrocarbons. The review includes reaction mechanisms and catalyst effects on yields and rates. In addition, the review outlines each of the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) micromechanisms. The review infers some mechanisms from existing work and proposes a new mechanism that improves several predictions. These mechanisms form the design basis for optimal reactor design.