Insights into the Nature of Active Sites and Support Effect in the CO2 Hydrogenation

Decarbonizing the chemical industry is crucial for meeting global climate objectives and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Advances in catalysis and materials science are fundamental in this transition, supporting the integration of renewable raw materials, enabling carbon capture, and promoting low-carbon production methods to enhance overall process efficiency. Continuous innovation in catalysis is key to achieving major CO2 reductions and guiding the chemical sector towards sustainability. However, there remains a significant need to better understand CO2 hydrogenation mechanisms to optimize these processes further.

This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding and optimization of CO2 hydrogenation reactions through the use of operando monitoring techniques in catalytic processes utilizing inorganic nano-oxide materials. This approach allows for real-time analysis of reaction mechanisms, catalyst behavior, and product formation under actual operating conditions. Such insights are crucial for identifying active sites, detecting transient intermediates, and assessing catalyst stability during hydrogenation. Ultimately, this knowledge will enable the design of more effective and durable catalysts and accelerate progress towards scalable, low-carbon solutions for CO2 utilization in the chemical industry.

To enhance our understanding of operando monitoring capabilities in CO2 hydrogenation, we invite contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

-Development of new operando reactions for a deeper understanding of CO2 hydrogenation
-Advanced operando and characterization tools for studying intermediates in CO2 hydrogenation
-Catalyst optimization through detailed analysis of the CO2 hydrogenation reaction pathway
-Innovative uses of inorganic nano-oxide materials in CO2 hydrogenation processes

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles related to these themes. This suite of contributions will contribute to the broader goal of decarbonizing the chemical industry through advanced scientific research and technological innovation.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: CO2 hydrogenation, Operando monitoring, Nano-oxide catalysts, Catalytic efficiency, CO2 conversion technologies, Sustainable catalysis, Reaction mechanisms, Carbon capture and utilization, Renewable energy sources, Green chemistry

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.