Selective transformation of carbon dioxide into lower olefins with a bifunctional catalyst composed of ZnGa2O4 and SAPO-34.

A bifunctional catalyst composed of ZnGa2O4 with a spinel structure and molecular sieve SAPO-34 catalyses the direct conversion of CO2 to C2-C4 olefins with a selectivity of 86% and a CO2 conversion of 13% at 370 °C. The oxygen vacancies on ZnGa2O4 surfaces are responsible for CO2 activation, forming a methanol intermediate, which is then converted into C2-C4 olefins in SAPO-34.