Switchable catalysts for chemical CO₂ recycling: a step forward in the methanation and reverse water-gas shift reactions

Advanced catalytic technologies are crucial to enable the transition toward a low-carbon industry with minimized CO₂ emissions. This paper showcases the application of highly effective Ru-promoted Ni-based catalysts for gas-phase CO₂ upgrading: CO₂ methanation and reverse water-gas shift. The addition of small amounts of Ru results in a remarkable enhancement of CO₂ conversion and selectivity. The bimetallic Ru-Ni catalyst displays greater metallic dispersion, tuned electronic properties and outstanding stability for long-term runs, a mandatory requisite for its implementation in actual CO₂ conversion units. The singularity of our advanced catalyst lays on its capacity to work effectively for both the CO₂ methanation and the reverse water-gas shift, allowing end-product flexibility by adjusting the reactor temperature. Such versatility opens a big range of possibilities to adapt this technology in heavy carbon industries whose net CO₂ emissions represent a big share in the global greenhouse gases emissions.