Tandem Reactions over Zeolite-Based Catalysts in Syngas Conversion

Syngas conversion can play a vital role in providing energy and chemical supplies while meeting environmental requirements as the world gradually shifts toward a net-zero. While prospects of this process cannot be doubted, there is a lingering challenge in distinct product selectivity over the bulk transitional metal catalysts. To advance research in this respect, composite catalysts comprising traditional metal catalysts and zeolites have been deployed to distinct product selectivity while suppressing side reactions. Zeolites are common but highly efficient materials used in the chemical industry for hydroprocessing. Combining the advantages of zeolites and some transition metal catalysts has promoted the catalytic production of various hydrocarbons (e.g., light olefins, aromatics, and liquid fuels) and oxygenates (e.g., methanol, dimethyl ether, formic acid, and higher alcohols) from syngas. In this outlook, a thorough revelation on recent progress in syngas conversion to various products over metal-zeolite composite catalysts is validated. The strategies adopted to couple the metal species and zeolite material into a composite as well as the consequential morphologies for specific product selectivity are highlighted. The key zeolite descriptors that influence catalytic performance, such as framework topologies, proximity and confinement effects, acidities and cations, pore systems, and particle sizes are discussed to provide a deep understanding of the significance of zeolites in syngas conversion. Finally, an outlook regarding challenges and opportunities for syngas conversion using zeolite-based catalysts to meet emerging energy and environmental demands is also presented.