Solar Hydrocarbons: Single-Step, Atmospheric-Pressure Synthesis of C₂−C₄ Alkanes and Alkenes from CO₂

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) spinel has been found to produce C₂−C₄ hydrocarbons in a single-step, ambient-pressure, photocatalytic hydrogenation of CO₂ with a rate of 1.1 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, selectivity of 29.8 % and conversion yield of 12.9 %. On stream the CoFe₂O₄ reconstructs to a CoFe−CoFe₂O₄ alloy-spinel nanocomposite which facilitates the light-assisted transformation of CO₂ to CO and hydrogenation of the CO to C₂−C₄ hydrocarbons. Promising results obtained from a laboratory demonstrator bode well for the development of a solar hydrocarbon pilot refinery.