Methane production by CO2 hydrogenation reaction with and without solid phase catalysis

•A prototype experimental apparatus reusing CO2 to produce CH4 was assembled.•Experiments and simulations run to a better understanding of the reaction mechanism.•An alternative path to a gas-phase-only process to the reduction of CO2 to CH4 has been outlined.

Leveraging on the experience gained by designing and assembling a prototype experimental apparatus reusing CO2 to produce methane in a reaction with H2, we are developing an alternative innovative cost effective and contaminant resistant synthetic strategy based on the replacement of the solid phase catalysis with a homogeneous gas phase process going through the forming CO22+molecular dications.

Graphical abstractDownload high-res image (137KB)Download full-size image