Open AccessHeterogenised Molecular Catalysts for the Reduction of CO2 to Fuels
Author(s) -
Christopher D. Windle,
Erwin Reisner
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chimia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.387
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 2673-2424
pISSN - 0009-4293
DOI - 10.2533/chimia.2015.435
Subject(s) - catalysis , selectivity , solvent , chemical engineering , fossil fuel , reduction (mathematics) , chemistry , molecule , atmosphere (unit) , kinetics , materials science , combinatorial chemistry , work (physics) , nanotechnology , biochemical engineering , organic chemistry , thermodynamics , engineering , physics , mathematics , geometry , quantum mechanics
CO2 conversion provides a possible solution to curtail the growing CO2 levels in our atmosphere and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. To this end, it is essential to develop efficient catalysts for the reduction of CO2. The structure and activity of molecular CO2 reduction catalysts can be tuned and they offer good selectivity with reasonable stability. Heterogenisation of these molecules reduces solvent restrictions, facilitates recyclability and can dramatically improve activity by preventing catalyst inactivation and perturbing the kinetics of intermediates. The nature and morphology of the solid-state material upon which the catalyst is immobilised can significantly influence the activity of the hybrid assembly. Although work in this area began forty years ago, it has only drawn substantial attention in recent years. This review article gives an overview of the historical development of the field.