Catalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO via Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction: Recent Advances in the Design of Active and Selective Supported Metal Catalysts

Abstract

The catalytic conversion of CO2 to CO via a reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction followed by well-established synthesis gas conversion technologies may provide a potential approach to convert CO2 to valuable chemicals and fuels. However, this reaction is mildly endothermic and competed by a strongly exothermic CO2 methanation reaction at low temperatures. Therefore, the improvement in the low-temperature activities and selectivity of the RWGS reaction is a key challenge for catalyst designs. We reviewed recent advances in the design strategies of supported metal catalysts for enhancing the activity of CO2 conversion and its selectivity to CO. These strategies include varying support, tuning metal–support interactions, adding reducible transition metal oxide promoters, forming bimetallic alloys, adding alkali metals, and enveloping metal particles. These advances suggest that enhancing CO2 adsorption and facilitating CO desorption are key factors to enhance CO2 conversion and CO selectivity. This short review may provide insights into future RWGS catalyst designs and optimization.