Next-Generation Hybrid Catalytic Strategies for Post-Capture CO₂ Conversion: Materials, Reaction Mechanisms, and Reactor Engineering

The decarbonization landscape is rapidly evolving as societies intensify efforts to achieve global carbon neutrality. A central challenge is the conversion of captured carbon dioxide (CO₂), traditionally regarded as waste, into a renewable carbon resource for fuels and chemicals. Catalytic conversion presents a viable route to close the carbon loop, but conventional single-mode catalytic technologies often suffer from limited CO₂ activation, low selectivity, and modest efficiency. Recent research has shifted toward hybrid catalytic systems—integrating thermocatalytic, electrochemical, photocatalytic, plasma-assisted, biological, and photothermal processes—that leverage synergistic effects to overcome kinetic and thermodynamic barriers. Significant advances have been made in catalyst design, mechanistic understanding, and process intensification; however, achieving stable operation under realistic industrial conditions remains a major hurdle. The integration of diverse catalytic modalities and scalable reactor technologies is essential to translating these innovations into practical CO₂ utilization pathways.This Research Topic aims to consolidate current progress and stimulate new research in the development of hybrid catalytic platforms for post-capture CO₂ conversion into fuels, chemicals, and carbon-based materials. It seeks to highlight fundamental and applied studies that elucidate the mechanisms governing CO₂ activation and product selectivity, identify design principles for multifunctional catalysts, and promote the development of process configurations that maximize both energy efficiency and carbon yield. The objective is to provide an integrated scientific foundation that supports the deployment of hybrid catalytic technologies in industrial carbon utilization settings, ultimately contributing to the creation of a sustainable and circular carbon economy.The Research Topic focuses on the catalytic transformation stage following CO₂ capture, excluding capture technologies, refinery integration, or system-level optimization. To gather further insights into this domain, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Hybrid catalytic systems integrating thermocatalytic, electrochemical, photocatalytic, plasma, biological, and photothermal processes for CO₂ conversion- Advanced catalyst materials, heterostructures, nanostructures, single-atom catalysts, and multifunctional catalytic interfaces- Mechanistic and operando investigations, computational modeling, and AI-driven catalyst discovery- Catalyst stability, deactivation pathways, and regeneration strategies- Process intensification, reaction engineering, and integrated catalytic process design- Novel reactor architectures, including flow, membrane, micro, gas-diffusion, photoelectrochemical, and modular systems- Applications of CO₂ conversion for the development of sustainable fuels, chemicals, and high-value carbon productsArticle types: Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, and Perspectives. Topic editors: Guillermo Díaz-Sainz, Roberto Fiorenza, Sudhagar Pitchaimuthu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83384/next-generation-hybrid-catalytic-strategies-for-post-capture-co-conversion-materials-reaction-mechanisms-and-reactor-engineering