Carbon Dioxide Methanation Enabled by Biochar-Nanocatalyst Composite Materials: A Mini-Review

Due to ever-increasing global warming, the scientific community is concerned with finding immediate solutions to reduce or utilize carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and convert it in useful compounds. In this context, the reductive process of CO<sub>2</sub> methanation has been...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mengqi Tang, Ahmed Gamal, Arvind K. Bhakta, Khouloud Jlassi, Aboubakr M. Abdullah, Mohamed M. Chehimi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-02-01
Series:Catalysts
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/14/2/155
Description
Summary:Due to ever-increasing global warming, the scientific community is concerned with finding immediate solutions to reduce or utilize carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and convert it in useful compounds. In this context, the reductive process of CO<sub>2</sub> methanation has been well-investigated and found to be attractive due to its simplicity. However, it requires the development of highly active catalysts. In this mini-review, the focus is on biochar-immobilized nanocatalysts for CO<sub>2</sub> methanation. We summarize the recent literature on the topic, reporting strategies for designing biochar with immobilized nanocatalysts and their performance in CO<sub>2</sub> methanation. We review the thermochemical transformation of biomass into biochar and its decoration with CO<sub>2</sub> methanation catalysts. We also tackle direct methods of obtaining biochar nanocatalysts, in one pot, from nanocatalyst precursor-impregnated biomass. We review the effect of the initial biomass nature, as well as the conditions that permit tuning the performances of the composite catalysts. Finally, we discuss the CO<sub>2</sub> methanation performance and how it could be improved, keeping in mind low operation costs and sustainability.
ISSN:2073-4344