Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH)-Derived Mixed Oxides for Enhanced Light Hydrocarbon Production from CO2 Hydrogenation

Layered double hydroxide (LDH)-derived mixed oxides offer a promising approach for CO2 hydrogenation to light hydrocarbons. Herein, we explore the impact of various transition metals (X = Mn, Co, Cu, and Zn) incorporated into the M-Al or M-(Al+Fe) LDH structures, with the aim of exploring possible synergistic effects. Structural and compositional analyses reveal that an abundance of Fe over Al (Fe/Al ratio ~4) leads to the formation of mixed oxide crystalline phases attributed to CoFe2O4, CuFe2O4, and ZnFe2O4. Catalytic evaluation results demonstrate that the X-Al LDH-derived oxides exhibit high CO2 conversion yet are selective to CH4 or CO. In contrast, Fe incorporation shifts selectivity toward higher hydrocarbons. Specifically, the yield to higher hydrocarbons (C2+) follows the order Ζn-Al-Fe > Cu-Al-Fe > Mn-Al-Fe > Co-Al-Fe >> Mn-Al, Co-Al, Zn-Al, Cu-Al, highlighting the pivotal role of Fe. Moreover, Zn-Al-Fe and Mn-Al-Fe catalysts have been shown to be the most selective towards light olefins. Zn-based systems also exhibit high thermal and structural stability with minimal coke formation, whereas Co-, Cu-, and Mn-based catalysts, when modified with Fe, experience increased carbon deposition or structural changes that may impact long-term stability. This work provides insights into the combined role of Fe and a second transition metal in LDHs for modulating catalytic activity, phase transformations, and stability, underscoring the need for further optimization to balance selectivity and catalyst durability in CO2 hydrogenation applications.