Recent Strategies for Switching the Catalytic Selectivity in CO2 Hydrogenation

Thermal catalysis is vital for converting carbon dioxide during hydrogenation into high-value-added chemicals. However, the intricate network of reaction pathways and intermediates leads to a diverse array of CO2 hydrogenation products, making achieving high selectivity difficult. Furthermore, in practical applications, changes to the catalyst induced by various factors can significantly alter its properties, resulting in a sudden shift in product selectivity, often referred to as selectivity reversal. Therefore, investigating the factors contributing to this selectivity reversal is essential for establishing a theoretical basis for regulating selectivity in CO2 hydrogenation. This paper reviews the factors influencing selectivity reversal, such as heteroatom modification, metal-support interactions (MSI), changes in the size of the active component, and intermetallic electronic interactions. Additionally, strategies to modulate the selectivity of CO2 hydrogenation are discussed. In conclusion, by exploring catalyst selectivity reversal and presenting methods to manipulate the selectivity of CO2 hydrogenation, this paper offers a guiding framework for the targeted design of catalysts and the precise modulation of CO2 hydrogenation products.