The engineering of CO 2 hydrogenation catalysts for higher alcohol synthesis

Anthropogenic CO 2 emissions have drawn significant attention in recent years. Using CO 2 as feedstock for chemical processes has become a key solution in overall closed carbon cycles for a vision of a circular carbon economy. CO 2 hydrogenation to higher alcohols has emerged as one of the most promising CO 2 conversion pathways for mitigating CO 2 emissions and producing value-added chemicals. The present review critically discusses the most recent cutting-edge catalyst development in higher alcohol synthesis (HAS), focusing on the influence of different metals, promoters, and supports according to the contributions of different active species in modern catalyst configurations. Particularly, the critical roles of oxygen vacancies and the reaction mechanisms shed light on the rational design of the next-generation CO 2 hydrogenation catalysts.