Research Progress of Catalysis for Low-Carbon Olefins Synthesis Through Hydrogenation of CO2

Fossil fuel consumption, global warming, climate change, and price fluctuation of fuels push scientists to search for alternative ways to produce fuel. From the viewpoint of CO 2 capture and utilization, using CO 2 as raw material to produce value-added products is attractive because it can not only alleviate global warming but also offers a solution to replace dwindling fossil fuels. Especially the technique of CO 2 hydrogenation to low-carbon olefins including ethylene, propylene and butylene is highly attractive. However, due to the extreme inertness of CO 2 and a high C–C coupling barrier, the conversion of CO 2 and selectivity of C 2–4 are not high. In addition, methane, as one main product in CO 2 hydrogenation, inhibits the production of other long-chain hydrocarbons. So it is decisive to design effective catalyst system to increase C 2–4 selectivity while decrease CH 4 selectivity. This review focuses on two routes for low-carbon olefins synthesis from CO 2 hydrogenation. The first route is direct synthesis of low-carbon olefins through CO 2 hydrogenation process. The catalyst supports, promoters and bimetallic active components are inextricably related with hydrogenation of CO 2 to lower olefins, which was reviewed in detail. The other route is indirect route for low-carbon olefins synthesis through hydrogenation of CO 2 to methanol and subsequently methanol to lower olefins, which is briefly discussed.