Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2026, Vol. 89: 1-39.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(26)65122-4

• Review •     Next Articles

Progress in unraveling the mechanisms of dual functional materials for CO2 capture and reduction

Chunjie Yanga,b, Na Weia,*(), Shu Wanga, Qi Zhanga, Xiyang Liua, Wenchao Xua, Keke Houb, Ningqiang Zhangc, Lingcong Lia,*(), Zhen Zhaoa,b,*()   

  1. aInstitute of Catalysis for Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, Liaoning, China
    bState Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, College of Science, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
    cSchool of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, Liaoning, China
  • Received:2025-12-31 Accepted:2026-02-22 Online:2026-10-18 Published:2026-09-01
  • Contact: *E-mail:wwweina@126.com(N. Wei),lilingcong@synu.edu.cn(L. Li),zhenzhao@cup.edu.cn(Z. Zhao).
  • About author:Na Wei (College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Normal University) received her Ph.D. degree from Liaoning University in 2017. In the same year, she joined the Institute of Catalysis for Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Normal University as a faculty member. Her current research interests focus on novel materials, heterogeneous catalysis and thermocatalysis with emphasis on design of new MOFs and their derivative catalysts, and the control of their morphology and microstructure, together with the study of reaction mechanisms for the efficient capture and catalytic conversion of CO2.
    Lingcong Li (College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Normal University) received her Ph.D. degree from Beijing University of Technology in 2019. From September 2019 to May 2025, she carried out postdoctoral research at the Institute for Catalysis, Hokkaido University (Japan), during which she was awarded the JSPS Fellowship for Foreign Researchers. Since June 2025, she has joined the faculty of College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Normal University, as a Professor and Master Supervisor. Her research interests are focused on catalyst design and catalysis nature study for the environment and energy catalysis. Especially for CO₂ capture and conversion, CH4 conversion, and vehicle exhaust emission control. She has published more than 40 peer-reviewed papers.
    Zhen Zhao (College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang Normal University) received his Ph.D. degree in 1996 from Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. From 1997 to 2002, he conducted postdoctoral research at National Institute for Resources and Environment (AIST, Japan), National Institute of Industrial Technology (Osaka, Japan), and Lehigh University (USA). Now, he is a Distinguished Professor “Changjiang Scholars Program”, Second Class Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at China University of Petroleum (Beijing); Shenyang Normal University Special Professor Hired, Dean of the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Shenyang Normal University, and Director of Institute of Catalysis for Energy and Environment. His research interests are focused on catalyst design and catalysis nature study for the energy catalysis; environmental catalysis and rare earth catalysis, especially for diesel exhaust purification, petrochemical conversion of oil and gas, and CO2 conversion and utilization. He has published more than 600 peer-reviewed papers with over 26800 citations and an H-index of 85, and has been an Elsevier Highly Cited Chinese Researcher for 11 consecutive years with more than 60 authorized invention patents.
  • Supported by:
    Key Discipline Project for Doctoral Program Construction at Shenyang Normal University in 2025(099-52501002);Basic Scientific Research Project for Higher Education Institutions of Liaoning Provincial Department of Education(LJ222510166005)

Abstract:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and hydrogenation reduction (CCR) offers a promising route to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while converting CO2 into value-added chemicals, contributing to carbon-neutral strategies. Dual functional materials (DFMs), which could simultaneously achieve CO2 capture and in-situ hydrogenation conversion in a single material system, have therefore attracted growing attention. Nevertheless, the complex reaction pathways, multiple intermediates, and parallel networks involved in CO2 hydrogenation led to highly diverse and intricate catalytic mechanisms over DFMs. This review summarizes recent advances in DFMs for CCR, focusing on key hydrogenation pathways to CO, CH4, and CH3OH and the evolution of associated intermediates. Advanced in-situ/operando characterization techniques and density functional theory calculations are highlighted for their roles in elucidating reaction mechanisms and metal-adsorbent synergistic effects. DFMs are further classified by active metal type, with representative Ni-, Ru-, Cu-, and Fe-based systems critically reviewed to highlight synergistic interactions among active metals, adsorbents, promoters, and supports, as well as rational structural design strategies for mitigating sintering and deactivation. Overall, this review provides mechanistic insights and design principles to guide the development of efficient, low-energy, and industrially viable DFMs for CCR reactions.

Key words: Dual functional materials, CO2 methanation, Reverse water-gas shift, Methanol synthesis, Low-carbon olefin synthesis