Understanding carbon dioxide activation and carbon–carbon coupling over nickel

Carbon dioxide is a desired feedstock for platform molecules, such as carbon monoxide or higher hydrocarbons, from which we will be able to make many different useful, value-added chemicals. Its catalytic hydrogenation over abundant metals requires the amalgamation of theoretical knowledge with materials design. Here we leverage a theoretical understanding of structure sensitivity, along with a library of different supports, to tune the selectivity of methanation in the Power-to-Gas concept over nickel. For example, we show that carbon dioxide hydrogenation over nickel can and does form propane, and that activity and selectivity can be tuned by supporting different nickel particle sizes on various oxides. This theoretical and experimental toolbox is not only useful for the highly selective production of methane, but also provides new insights for carbon dioxide activation and subsequent carbon–carbon coupling towards value-added products thereby reducing the deleterious effects of this environmentally harmful molecule.