Title : Catalytic materials enabling the transformation of CO₂ into value-added chemicals
Abstract:
The increasing concentration of atmospheric CO₂ demands efficient and scalable valorization strategies to support the transition toward sustainable chemical production. This work presents a multi-approach platform for CO₂ transformation, integrating homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis with advanced reactor engineering. CO₂ was first captured and activated through bicarbonate formation using tailored solvent systems, including ionic liquids (ILs) and alkaline media. Homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation using Ru-based systems enabled selective production of formate under mild reaction conditions with high conversion and recyclability.
To expand the chemical scope of CO₂ utilization, heterogeneous catalytic strategies were also explored through CO₂ cycloaddition reactions to cyclic carbonates. Immobilized ILs and metal-free catalytic systems demonstrated high stability and tunability, enhancing reaction selectivity while reducing energy demand. Reaction intensification was achieved using continuous-flow operation, and additive manufacturing (3D printing) was employed to fabricate customized catalytic reactors with controlled geometries, enabling improved mass transfer and productivity compared to conventional batch systems.
This integrated study demonstrates how chemical strategy design—combining homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis and digitally manufactured catalytic architectures—unlocks versatile routes for CO₂ upgrading. By linking catalytic chemistry with process engineering, this work contributes to scalable CO₂ valorization solutions aligned with carbon circularity and green manufacturing.
