Transforming CO2 to valuable feedstocks: Emerging catalytic and technological advances for the reverse water gas shift reaction

Abstract

Current conditions suggest that to mitigate climate change, carbon neutrality must be achieved. Despite efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, existing strategies remain inadequate. Thus, it is inevitable that carbon dioxide utilization will play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. Among the conversion routes available, the reverse water–gas shift reaction (RWGS) is promising as it allows the conversion of CO2 to CO, which can then be further converted to other valuable feedstocks while utilizing renewable H2. However, this route presents several challenges, as the RWGS reaction requires high energy input and is less favored over the methanation reaction at lower temperatures. Hence, the development of novel catalysts and advanced technologies is necessary to achieve high conversions and selectivity. This review summarizes the most recent progress and advances in heterogenous catalyst systems and emerging technologies explored for the RWGS reaction. Techniques to enhance catalyst performance, alter reaction mechanisms, and improve catalyst stability are discussed. Novel technologies and their recent developments to achieve equilibrium conversions and improve CO yield are also given focus and compared. This review thus provides insight into the possibilities available for improving the RWGS reaction as a practical carbon mitigation route.