Nano-Intermetallic InNi(3)C(0.5) Compound Discovered as a Superior Catalyst for CO(2) Reutilization

CO(2) circular economy is urgently calling for the effective large-scale CO(2) reutilization technologies. The reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction is the most techno-economically viable candidate for dealing with massive-volume CO(2) via downstream mature Fischer-Tropsch and methanol syntheses, but the desired groundbreaking catalyst represents a grand challenge. Here, we report the discovery of a nano-intermetallic InNi(3)C(0.5) catalyst, for example, being particularly active, selective, and stable for the RWGS reaction. The InNi(3)C(0.5)(111) surface is dominantly exposed and gifted with dual active sites (3Ni-In and 3Ni-C), which in synergy efficiently dissociate CO(2) into CO* (on 3Ni-C) and O* (on 3Ni-In). O* can facilely react with 3Ni-C-offered H* to form H(2)O. Interestingly, CO* is mainly desorbed at and above 400°C, whereas alternatively hydrogenated to CH(3)OH highly selectively below 300°C. Moreover, this nano-intermetallic can also fully hydrogenate CO-derived dimethyl oxalate to ethylene glycol (commodity chemical) with high selectivity (above 96%) and favorable stability.