Structure-property relationships for catalyst design toward CO2 utilization via dry reforming of methane

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) utilizes CO 2 as a soft oxidant to convert CH 4 into synthesis gas, a versatile feedstock for downstream fuels and chemicals. However, practical CO 2 utilization through DRM is constrained by catalyst deactivation caused by metal sintering and carbon deposition under severe high-temperature conditions. Catalyst performance is governed not only by composition but also by structural features that impose trade-offs among activity, mass transport, and stability. This review summarizes recent advances in morphology-controlled DRM catalysts and classifies them into four representative categories: hierarchical, core/yolk-shell, well-defined mesoporous, and multimodal pore structures. Each class is evaluated in terms of active-metal dispersion, reactant and product transport, sintering resistance, carbon suppression, and inherent structural limitations. Hierarchical architectures favor short diffusion paths and open accessibility. Core/yolk-shell structures mitigate particle migration and carbon-filament growth through spatial confinement, although shell-induced transport resistance can arise. Well-defined mesopores promote dispersion and pore-wall stabilization but may suffer from pore blockage, restricted loading, or structural collapse. Multimodal pore networks balance active-site density with molecular transport, while excessive large-pore fractions can reduce accessible surface area. These assignments represent dominant design tendencies rather than exclusive functions because catalytic behavior also depends on composition, surface chemistry, oxygen mobility, and metal-support interactions. By integrating structural characteristics, synthesis strategies, physicochemical properties, and practical trade-offs, this review provides structure-based guidelines for selecting durable DRM catalyst architectures according to the dominant transport or deactivation constraint, thereby supporting rational catalyst design for CO 2 utilization through DRM.