Zeolites in CO₂ Hydrogenation: Multifunctional Roles and Advanced Modifications

Zeolites, as one of the most versatile classes of catalysts, exhibit remarkable potential in CO₂ chemistry and play a pivotal role in advancing the circular carbon economy. Owing to their unique physicochemical properties, zeolites serve as excellent platforms for catalytic CO₂ valorisation, particularly in hydrogenation reactions. They act as multifunctional catalyst supports, enabling the anchoring of metal active sites through diverse strategies, such as nanoparticle encapsulation and single-atom stabilisation, while also providing additional functionalities for tandem catalytic processes. Consequently, metal-zeolite catalyst systems effectively promote the conversion of CO₂ into both C₁ products (e.g., CO, CH₄, and methanol) and high-value multi-carbon products (e.g., oxygenates, olefins, and aromatics). Recent research efforts have therefore focused on enhancing these catalytic systems by tailoring zeolite characteristics, including pore structure and acidity. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of zeolite-based CO₂ hydrogenation, highlighting the multiple roles of zeolites within metal-zeolite catalysts, the modification strategies employed, and the mechanistic insights underlying improved performance. We further discuss structure-performance correlations, assess industrial prospects, and outline future research directions. This work provides a timely overview of state-of-the-art metal-zeolite catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation, serving as a valuable reference for the continued development of CO₂ valorisation technologies.