A versatile hybrid catalyst platform of Na/ZnFe2O4 and zeolite for selective hydrocarbon production from CO2 hydrogenation

Catalytic CO2 hydrogenation faces great challenges in both reaction rates and selectivity to desired high-value products. Herein, we present a one-pot reaction platform that converts CO2 into various long-chain hydrocarbons selectively by combining a Na/ZnFe2O4-based catalyst for CO2 activation and carbon–carbon coupling, and a zeolite for fine-tuning the selectivity of desired products by exploiting its shape selectivity. Thus, the Na/ZnFe2O4 catalyst without zeolite produces highly olefinic diesel range hydrocarbons, and a hybrid catalyst with ZSM-5 produces highly aromatic gasoline range hydrocarbons, that with ZSM-11 produces branched kerosene range hydrocarbons, and that with SSZ-13 produces hydrocarbons rich in C2-C4 olefins. In all cases, high CO2 conversions of over 35% and low CO selectivity of near 10% are maintained. Therefore, the hybrid catalyst platform proposed here demonstrates that an elaborate catalyst design enables fine-tuning of the reaction pathway of CO2 hydrogenation to produce selectively versatile value-added hydrocarbons.