Decomposition of CO2 to carbon and oxygen under mild conditions over a zinc-modified zeolite

An electron-rich zinc-modified zeolite Y material shows substantial activity for the decomposition of CO(2) to carbon with the release of O(2) at about 300 °C. It is elucidated that electrons delocalized in the vicinity of zinc cations in the zeolite material play an essential role in the decomposition reaction.