Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether from CO2: Recent Advances in Bifunctional/Hybrid Catalytic Systems

Catalysts

Bárbara Pawelec¹  RufinoM. Navarro¹  Elena Millán Ordoñez¹  JoséLuis G. Fierro¹  Noelia Mota¹ 

[1] Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica, The Sustainable Energy and Chemistry Group, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28049 Madrid, Spain;

关键词: CO₂ hydrogenation;    dimethyl ether;    DME;    bifunctional catalyst;    hybrid catalyst;   

DOI  :  10.3390/catal11040411

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Dimethyl ether (DME) is a versatile raw material and an interesting alternative fuel that can be produced by the catalytic direct hydrogenation of CO₂. Recently, this process has attracted the attention of the industry due to the environmental benefits of CO₂ elimination from the atmosphere and its lower operating costs with respect to the classical, two-step synthesis of DME from syngas (CO + H₂). However, due to kinetics and thermodynamic limits, the direct use of CO₂ as raw material for DME production requires the development of more effective catalysts. In this context, the objective of this review is to present the latest progress achieved in the synthesis of bifunctional/hybrid catalytic systems for the CO₂-to-DME process. For catalyst design, this process is challenging because it should combine metal and acid functionalities in the same catalyst, in a correct ratio and with controlled interaction. The metal catalyst is needed for the activation and transformation of the stable CO₂ molecules into methanol, whereas the acid catalyst is needed to dehydrate the methanol into DME. Recent developments in the catalyst design have been discussed and analyzed in this review, presenting the different strategies employed for the preparation of novel bifunctional catalysts (physical/mechanical mixing) and hybrid catalysts (co-precipitation, impregnation, etc.) with improved efficiency toward DME formation. Finally, an outline of future prospects for the research and development of efficient bi-functional/hybrid catalytic systems will be presented.

【 授权许可】

Unknown