Stabilization of Metal-Based Catalysts for Hydrogenation of CO2 to C1 Products

The structural evolution and migration of metal species strongly influence the performance and durability of catalysts for carbon dioxide (CO₂) hydrogenation, which are critical for the development of stable metal-based catalysts. This review focuses on the recent progress in stabilizing metal-based catalysts for C₁ products by suppressing undesirable metal migration or harnessing dynamic restructuring to generate new active sites with different metal oxidation states and/or variable metal–support/metal–metal interfaces. Strategies such as strengthening metal–support interactions, confining metal species, and regulating wetting behavior could modulate metal sintering to enhance catalytic activities. Particular attention is given to the relationship between the structural dynamics and reaction conditions, including atmosphere, temperature, and pressure. In situ and operando techniques have provided valuable insights, yet limitations in spatial and temporal resolution remain. Moreover, zeolites have emerged as promising supports due to their tunable defect structures and confinement effects, which enable the formation of well-dispersed and stable metal centers. These insights will advance the design of effective catalysts for the production of value-added C₁ chemicals.