Transition Metal Carbide‐Based Catalysis for Thermocatalytic Conversion Processes: Properties, Synthesis, Applications, and Future Outlook

Transition metal carbides (TMCs) have attracted considerable attention because of their high chemical and thermal stability and, in particular, due to their electronic structure that is similar to that of platinum group metals (PGMs). This similarity in the electronic structure, alongside significantly lower cost (compared to PGMs), made TMCs particularly interesting for catalysis applications. Indeed, recent advances in utilizing TMCs have revealed their excellent performance in various catalytic processes. This review explores several essential aspects of customizing TMCs for thermocatalytic reactions. In this context, physical and chemical properties of TMCs are first discussed. It is shown that the unique properties of TMCs are attributed to their charge polarization, structural adjustability, capacity to form alloys, and ability to undergo phase transitions. Next, various synthesis techniques are reviewed, including solid‐state and solvothermal methods, as well as microwave‐ and plasma‐assisted techniques. The review then focuses on the utilization of TMCs in thermocatalytic processes, including those used for generation of renewable synthetic fuels and chemicals. Among applications discussed are water gas shift, reforming, CO ₂ reduction and hydrogenation, hydrotreating, hydrocracking, and isomerization. For each application, design strategies and the impact of the catalyst composition and morphology on the catalytic performance are discussed. Each section incorporates case studies, including experiments and theoretical investigations that provide additional insights into catalyst design considerations. The review is concluded with a critical discussion of challenges associated with the design, synthesis, and utilization of TMCs and of future research directions. This review offers fundamental insights into tailoring TMCs for applications in thermocatalysis, showing that TMCs are emerging catalytic materials for thermocatalytic processes, such as production of renewables synthetic fuels and chemicals.