Carbon Recycling Through CO2-Conversion for Stepping Toward a Cyclic-C Economy. A Perspective

The conversion of CO2 into added value chemicals, materials and fuels is a case of transition from the linear to the cyclic-C economy, a necessary change for stopping the putative negative effect of CO2 on climate and the environment. Several strategies can be implemented for CO2 conversion and their potential and timeframe is discussed in this perspective paper. The overall amount of avoided CO2 is evaluated in the short-, medium-, and long-term. The distinct contribution of Catalysis, Solar Chemistry and integrated Chemocatalysis-Biosystems is discussed

Biotechnology to develop innovative syntheses using CO2

We present an overview of possible biotechnological applications for using carbon dioxide for the synthesis of chemicals. These approaches are very appealing as they contribute to the implementation of new synthetic methodologies that reduce waste and make a better use of carbon and energy. Several synthetic approaches will be considered including both the incorporation of the whole COO moiety or its reduction to other C1 molecules. Each option will be discussed making a comparison between the natural and artificial process in order to highlight the possibility to learn from Nature and develop useful mimetic or enzymatic systems

Perspectives in the use of carbon dioxide

The mitigation of carbon dioxide is one of the scientific and technological challenges of the 2000s. Among the technologies that are under assessment, the recovery of carbon dioxide from power plants or industrial flue gases plays a strategic role. Recovered carbon dioxide can be either disposed in natural fields or used. The availability of large amounts of carbon dioxide may open new routes to its utilisation in biological, chemical and innovative technological processes. In this paper, the potential of carbon dioxide utilisation in the short-, medium-term is reviewed

Do Bio-Ethanol and Synthetic Ethanol Produced from Air-Captured CO2 Have the Same Degree of “Greenness” and Relevance to “Fossil C”?

This paper discusses the epochal change in the reputation of carbon dioxide, which is now considered as a raw material alternative to fossil C for the synthesis of chemicals, materials and fuels, as opposed to a waste material that must be confined underground. In particular, its use as renewable C is compared to biomass. In this paper, a specific point is discussed: is ethanol (or any fuel) produced via the catalytic conversion of atmospheric CO2 different from the relevant biomass-sourced product(s)? The answer to this question is very important because it ultimately determines whether or not fuels derived from atmospheric CO2 (either e-fuels or solar fuels) have the right to be subsidized in the same way that biofuels are. Conclusions are drawn demonstrating that ethanol derived from atmospheric CO2 deserves the same benefits as bio-ethanol, with the additional advantage that its synthesis can be less pollutant than its production via the fermentation of sugars. The same concept can be applied to any fuel derived from atmospheric CO2

Artificial carbon sinks: Utilization of carbon dioxide for the synthesis of chemicals and technological applications

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Introduction: Nano- (and micro-)materials and human wellbeing

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Catalysis for the Valorization of Low-Value C-Streams

The need for a better carbon management and the reduction of CO2 emissions push away from the linear-carbon economy (LCE) towards a better carbon management including carbon recycling (CR). This implies the utilization of gaseous and liquid process streams so far under-utilized, and often either sent to combustion or disposed of. In this paper, four cases are discussed, namely: low-alkane streams, industrial CO2, ligno-cellulosic waste and salty-watery-glycerol. The role of catalysis in the valorization of such C-sources is discussed and examples of innovative processes are presented