Integration of CO2 Capture and Conversion by Employing Metal Oxides as Dual Function Materials: Recent Development and Future Outlook

To mitigate the effect of CO2 on climate change, significant efforts have been made in the past few decades to capture CO2, which can then be further sequestered or converted into value-added compounds, such as methanol and hydrocarbons, by using thermochemical or electrocatalytic processes. However, CO2 capture and conversion have primarily been studied independently, resulting in individual processes that are highly energy-intensive and less economically viable due to high capital and operation costs. To enhance the overall process efficiency, integrating CO2 capture and conversion into a single system offers an opportunity for a more streamlined process that can reduce energy and capital costs. This strategy can be achieved by employing dual function materials (DFMs), which possess the unique capability to simultaneously adsorb and convert CO2. These materials combine basic metal oxides with active metal catalytic sites that enable both sorption and conversion functions. In this review paper, we focus on the recent strategies that utilize mixed metal oxides as DFMs. Their material design and characteristics, reaction mechanisms, as well as performance and limitations will be discussed. We will also address the challenges associated with this integrated system and attempt to provide insights for future research endeavors.