Efficient syngas conversion via catalytic shunt

Guo Tian, Zhengwen Li, Duohua Liao, Chenxi Zhang (), Hong-jie Peng, Xinyan Liu, Kui Shen, Haibing Meng, Ning Wang, Hao Xiong, Shuairen Qian, Xiaoyu Liang, Tianping Ying, Xiaoyu Fan, Binhang Yan, Xiao Chen () and Fei Wei ()
Additional contact information
Guo Tian: Tsinghua University
Zhengwen Li: Tsinghua University
Duohua Liao: Ordos Laboratory
Chenxi Zhang: Tsinghua University
Hong-jie Peng: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Xinyan Liu: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Kui Shen: South China University of Technology
Haibing Meng: Taiyuan University of Technology
Ning Wang: Beijing University of Technology
Hao Xiong: Tsinghua University
Shuairen Qian: Tsinghua University
Xiaoyu Liang: Tsinghua University
Tianping Ying: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiaoyu Fan: Tsinghua University
Binhang Yan: Tsinghua University
Xiao Chen: Tsinghua University
Fei Wei: Tsinghua University

Nature Sustainability, 2025, vol. 8, issue 5, 508-519

Abstract: Abstract Catalytic syngas conversion has the potential to improve the sustainability of chemical products. However, balancing high catalytic activity with selectivity is challenging because the complex interactions among intermediates across various active sites can trigger competing reactions. To address this challenge, we introduce a catalytic shunt strategy that redirects intermediates in a multifunctional catalytic system to guide interdependent reaction pathways. The key to this catalytic shunt strategy is modulating the adsorption of the intermediates across different activity domains. By tuning Mo–O coordination numbers of single atoms in a bifunctional catalyst, we achieve over 80% selectivity for aromatics and a carbon monoxide conversion surpassing 70%, with aromatics yields of over 40%. By absorbing the intermediates on the first activity domain, the shunt pathway prevents their participation in subsequent reactions, thereby boosting methane production with selectivity above 93% and carbon monoxide conversion exceeding 50%. This catalytic shunt strategy also showcases versatility across other bifunctional systems for producing gasoline and light olefins. Overall, this study provides a viable approach for tackling the activity–selectivity trade-off in catalytic syngas conversion, removing a major barrier preventing its practical implementation.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-025-01551-7

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