Perspective on CO2 Hydrogenation for Dimethyl Ether Economy

The CO2 hydrogenation to dimethyl ether (DME) is a potentially promising process for efficiently utilizing as renewable and cheap carbon resource. Currently, the one-step heterogeneous catalytic conversion of value-added chemicals exhibits higher efficiency than photocatalytic or electrocatalytic routes. However, typical catalysts DME still suffer from deficient space–time yield stability in industrial demonstrations/applications. In this perspective, recent development focused on different systems by examining reported experimental results reaction mechanism including nature active sites, activation modes molecules under relevant conditions; surface intermediates are comparatively analyzed discussed. addition more traditional Cu-based, Pd-based, oxide-derived bifunctional catalysts, further emphasis given characteristics recently emerged In2O3-based DME. Moreover, GaN itself, catalyst, shows over 90% selectivity reasonably high activity hydrogenation, direct via unique non-methanol intermediate highlighted an important illustration exploring new systems. With these analyses current understandings, research directions aspects catalysis economy suggested synthesis hydrogenation.