Open AccessThe application of nonthermal plasma in methanol synthesis via CO 2 hydrogenation
Author(s) -
Farahani Majid D.,
Zeng Yimin,
Zheng Ying
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
energy science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.638
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2050-0505
DOI - 10.1002/ese3.1107
Subject(s) - catalysis , methane , renewable energy , methanol , combustion , gasoline , process engineering , nonthermal plasma , chemistry , environmental science , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , materials science , plasma , organic chemistry , engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , electrical engineering
CH 3 OH is an energy carrier that can be generated from renewable resources and be used as a fuel in fuel cells and internal combustion engines and a platform chemical for the synthesis of value‐added chemicals or gasoline. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) hydrogenation is one of the widely researched methods to generate methanol. The traditional CO 2 hydrogenation reaction method (requires high H 2 pressure and temperatures) has attracted considerable attention. However, the new emerging field of catalysis referred to as nonthermal plasma (NTP) catalysis has also been developed extensively for methane reforming and CO 2 hydrogenation to methane and CO. The plasma‐assisted approach not only presents remarkable advantages, such as room temperature and atmospheric H 2 pressure but also has great potential to be powered by renewable electricity in a flexible way since it can be easily switched on/off. In this account, we review the recent articles published on methanol synthesis from CO 2 and H 2 using NTP. We reviewed and discussed the mechanism of this reaction under NTP, the modification of the reactor configurations, and the rationale behind the catalyst design. In the end, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of each of these works and the future perspectives of this interesting privileged reaction. We believe this review is of interest to researchers active in sustainable heterogeneous catalysis.