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This study reports a dual function material (DFM) composed entirely of non-precious metals for methanol production (13.8 μmol/g material) at ambient pressure from passively captured CO2 from the air. While state of the art carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) processes rely on expensive CO2 capture systems and a high-pressure catalytic reactor for methanol synthesis, this Ni-Ga-Ca DFM can be an enabler for significant energy efficiency gains in methanol synthesis from CO2 through the direct utilisation of dilute emissions and substantially lower operating pressures. Using operando DRIFT spectroscopy coupled with density functional theory, XAFS, XRD, and TEM-HAADF, a combination of Ni-Ga intermetallic species and their oxides are identified as the active sites. During cyclic operation a shift in selectivity towards methane is observed, which is associated with dynamic restructuring of the DFM. Guided by mechanistic and structural understanding, a synthesis strategy is developed to enhance cyclic stability by mitigating dealloying and Ni particle agglomeration. It is indicated that cyclic stability can be achieved by strengthening the Ni-Ga-Ca interaction, however, there remains a gradual shift in selectivity towards methane which highlights the need for further material optimisation.

Since climate change keeps escalating, it is imperative that the increasing CO2 emissions be combated. Over recent years, research efforts have been aiming for the design and optimization of materials for CO2 capture and conversion to enable a circular economy. The uncertainties in the energy sector and the variations in supply and demand place an additional burden on the commercialization and implementation of these carbon capture and utilization technologies. Therefore, the scientific community needs to think out of the box if it is to find solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change. Flexible chemical synthesis can pave the way for tackling market uncertainties. The materials for flexible chemical synthesis function under a dynamic operation, and thus, they need to be studied as such. Dual-function materials are an emerging group of dynamic catalytic materials that integrate the CO2 capture and conversion steps. Hence, they can be used to allow some flexibility in the production of chemicals as a response to the changing energy sector. This Perspective highlights the necessity of flexible chemical synthesis by focusing on understanding the catalytic characteristics under a dynamic operation and by discussing the requirements for the optimization of materials at the nanoscale.