Preparation and modification of carbon based materials as efficient catalysts in the cycloaddition of carbon dioxide towards cyclic carbonates: a mini review

Abstract

The preparation of carbonates via carbon dioxide (CO₂) cycloaddition is an important chemical process, which utilizes CO₂ and epoxides as raw materials. Nanocarbon materials, with their unique physical/chemical properties, make them ideal catalysts or carriers for CO₂ cycloaddition. In this process, the structure and surface features of nanocarbons are considered the key issues to facilitate the reaction, which has not been fully discussed. In this review, the preparation and modification of carbon based materials with unique surface features for CO₂ cycloaddition are summarized and fully discussed. The effect of intrinsic interactions between the co-catalyst and surface property of carbon based catalysts on the catalytic performance/reaction mechanism were fully discussed, and the state-of-the-art of CO₂ cycloaddition was highlighted.