Minireview and Outlook of Nonthermal Plasma (NTP)-Driven CO2 Transformation toward e-Fuels

NTP-driven CO2 conversion has recently attracted significant attention as a promising electrified pathway for sustainable e-fuel synthesis. By generating highly energetic electrons under nonequilibrium conditions, NTP enables activation of chemically stable CO2 and H2 molecules at near-ambient temperatures and pressures, overcoming key limitations of conventional thermocatalytic processes. This mini-review provides an overview of recent innovations in NTP-driven CO2 hydrogenation toward major e-fuels, including methane, methanol, and carbon monoxide via the reverse water gas shift reaction (RWGSR) and higher hydrocarbons. Particular emphasis is placed on the synergistic interaction between plasma species and heterogeneous catalysts, where catalyst design plays a critical role in controlling the CO2 conversion, product selectivity, and energy efficiency. Recent developments highlight that optimized plasma-catalyst systems, such as Ni-, Cu-, Co-, and Ru-based catalysts supported on oxides and zeolites, can significantly enhance performance through improved intermediate stabilization and tailored reaction pathways. Advances in operando characterizations are discussed, together with the need for plasma-specific diagnostic cells that preserve realistic discharge behavior. Energy efficiency, techno-economic viability, life cycle performance, scale-up, and industrial prospects are also critically evaluated. Key barriers include the conversion-energy-efficiency trade-off, limited catalyst durability and selectivity, incomplete mechanistic understanding, nonstandardized assessment of plasma-catalyst synergy, and scarce long-duration catalyst activity demonstrations. Future progress requires plasma-specific catalysts, integrated operando diagnostics and multiscale modeling, and reactor-process co-optimization. Overall, NTP-based CO2 valorization presents a promising pathway for sustainable e-fuel production within future power-to-X systems.