A review of catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to gas: Applications, challenges, and future development directions

Catalytic conversion of CO 2 is a clean technology that converts CO 2 into usable energy, possessing significant environmental protection and energy utilization value. This article reviews the reaction mechanism, catalyst types and performance, challenges, and future development potential of CO 2 catalytic conversion. The CO 2 activation stage is a key step in the catalytic conversion process, converting CO 2 into high-value energy sources such as syngas, methane, and hydrogen through reactions such as hydrogenation, reduction, and methanation. The catalyst type has the greatest impact on the efficiency and selectivity of the CO 2 catalytic conversion reaction. This article details the characteristics and adaptability of metal-based catalysts, metal oxide catalysts, carbon-based catalysts, and composite catalysts. Although current research has made some progress, many challenges remain in terms of catalytic efficiency, selectivity, and economics. Future research will focus on catalyst innovation and optimization, improvement of low-carbon energy coupling technologies, system integration, and intelligent development. Catalytic conversion of CO 2 to gas has significant potential in energy production, industrial applications, and carbon capture and utilization, contributing to the early achievement of the global carbon neutrality goal. • Mechanisms of carbon dioxide conversion to gases: activation, hydrogenation, reduction, methanation, and dry reforming. • Catalyst landscape for CO 2 -to-gas: metals, oxides, carbons, composites and zeolites, with key performance trends. • Discussion of the activity-selectivity-stability trade-offs in catalyst selection for carbon dioxide conversion to gases. • Applications of CO 2 -to-gas routes (CO, syngas, CH 4 ) for fuels, feedstocks and CCU/ICCU integration. • Challenges and outlook: improving selectivity, stability, energy efficiency and smart process integration.