Closing the Anthropogenic Chemical Carbon Cycle toward a Sustainable Future via CO2 Valorization

Abstract Concerns over the massive increase in CO 2 emissions induced by overconsumption of fossil fuels have driven the rapid development of CO 2 valorization techniques. Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technology, which emerged as a promising strategy to relieve increasing environmental concerns and create more carbon feedstocks simultaneously, hold great promise to close the anthropogenic chemical carbon cycle. Herein, recent breakthroughs related to the two predominant techniques involved in returning CO 2 into a useful state, namely CO 2 capture and CO 2 conversion are systematically overviewed. Initially, CO 2 capture principles, recent advances, as well as future challenges of state‐of‐the‐art absorbents/adsorbents and membrane separation technology are summarized. Furthermore, innovative catalysts related to the CO 2 conversion technologies (including thermo‐driven CO 2 hydrogenation, photo‐and electrochemical CO 2 reduction, and enzymatic CO 2 conversion) are discussed, emphasis is focused on the catalytic performance, design principles, and economic efficiency. Finally, a perspective regarding the future research opportunities toward CCU technologies is provided. This review aims to stimulate innovation and accelerate interdisciplinary integrations toward CCU related technologies via a discussion of fundamental mechanisms, recent breakthroughs, current associated difficulties as well as future directions.