Recent advances in the catalytic conversion of CO2 to chemicals and demonstration projects in China

To achieve the global net-zero carbon emissions target, enhanced studies on how to effectively convert and utilize CO2 have been conducted. Herein, the research progress and development trend of CO2 conversion to chemicals, including CO2 hydrogenation to hydrocarbons, CO2 as an oxidant to syngas, and CO2 cycloaddition to carbonate were discussed in this review. The principles, advantages, disadvantages, and prospects of thermal catalysis, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, enzyme catalysis, and plasma catalysis for CO2 conversion were summarized. Among them, the different methods of the active component, carrier, catalyst electronic effect, synergistic effect and size effect used to develop specific catalysts for different CO2 conversions were introduced emphatically. Moreover, the developmental stage of CO2 catalytic conversion technology and important industrial demonstration projects in China were summarized, with special emphasis on the relationship between hydrogen/electricity supply and the carbon emission reduction effect of CO2 catalytic conversion. The reaction network, catalytic system and demonstration project of CO2 catalytic conversion were comprehensively compared and discussed to more clearly play the beneficial role of CO2 catalytic conversion in carbon reduction work.