Rational Design of Catalyst Supports for CO2 Hydrogenation to Light Olefins: Structural, Electronic, and Stabilization Strategies

The rational design of catalyst supports represents a critical strategy for enhancing the hydrogenation of CO2 into Light Olefins (C2–C4), significantly impacting key performance indicators such as activity, selectivity, and stability. This review comprehensively examines three foundational mechanisms through which support materials influence catalytic outcomes: (1) structural modulation: hierarchically porous architectures with high specific surface areas improve active-phase dispersion and facilitate mass transport, thereby optimizing reaction kinetics. (2) electronic engineering: metal–support interactions (MSIs) enhance CO2 chemisorption, promoting C–C coupling kinetics and favoring selective olefin formation. (3) stabilization strategies: oxide matrices (e.g., ZrO2, Al2O3) effectively suppress metal sintering, while carbonaceous supports minimize coking via ordered mesoporosity. Moreover, hydrophobic surfaces accelerate H2O desorption, reducing aqueous-phase oxidation. Additionally, acid–based properties regulate reaction pathways: Lewis acid-dominated surfaces encourage chain growth, whereas moderate basicity facilitates CO2 activation. These structure–activity relationships establish a robust foundation for designing advanced catalysts for CO2-to-olefin conversion with atomic-level precision.