Integrated CO₂ capture and utilization: selection, matching, and interactions between adsorption and catalytic sites

Integrated CO₂ capture and utilization (ICCU) can achieve the conversion of captured CO₂ into value-added products in a single reactor, enabling it to be one of the fundamental approaches to eliminating CO₂ emissions in the future. The rational design of dual-functional materials (DFMs) combining adsorption and catalytic sites is crucial to realizing an efficient ICCU process. This Perspective promotes the understanding of ICCU through integrated CO₂ capture and methanation, integrated CO₂ capture and the reverse water gas shift, integrated CO₂ capture and dry reforming of methane, and integrated CO₂ capture and other technologies, focusing on the selection and matching between adsorption and catalytic sites in DFMs for enhanced ICCU performance. Interactions between adsorption and catalytic sites are pivotal for mechanism studies directing the catalyst design. The proximity effect and the induced adsorbent–catalyst interaction are comprehensively evaluated to provide a perspective on understanding the mechanism of ICCU and the design principle of DFMs. This Perspective will provide theoretical foundations for selecting and matching adsorption and catalytic sites in DFMs, promoting the comprehensive enhancement of ICCU performance, and thus facilitating carbon reduction goals.