Chemical fixation of CO2 on nanocarbons and hybrids

The conversion and utilization of CO2 is a promising approach to build a sustainable future which not only reduces emissions from sources but also converts CO2 into high value-added products. During this process, the selective adsorption of CO2 molecules and the subsequent activation of CO bonds are two key steps, where the catalyst plays an irreplaceable role as the “accelerator” to regulate the reaction pathway and improve the reaction activity and selectivity. With the continuous development of green chemistry, the main drawbacks in homogeneous catalysts such as poor reusability and low hydrothermal stability have been overcome, and the application potential of heterogeneous nano-catalytic materials in CO2 chemical fixation has been explored, providing the possibility for large-scale industrial use. This review focuses on nanocarbons and related hybrids as catalytic materials in CO2 chemical fixation because these catalysts are widely used and easy to operate. We also summarize strategies to construct effective catalytic sites and discuss roles that nanocarbons play in catalytic systems.