Methane (CH₄), a potent greenhouse gas, is often referred to as the “invisible killer” due to its greenhouse effect, which is more than twenty times greater than that of carbon dioxide. This paper examines the primary sources of methane, including both natural and anthropogenic origins, and their contribution to global warming. As the global economy continues to expand and the population grows, methane emissions are rising, exacerbating the ongoing challenge of climate change. Through a comprehensive analysis of methane’s impacts, its chemical transformation, and its potential for high-value utilization, this paper seeks to raise public awareness of the dangers posed by this “invisible killer” and promote effective mitigation strategies to safeguard our global environment.

The “Salt-Water System Phase Diagrams” is a core concept in the curriculum for undergraduates majoring in chemical engineering and technology, particularly for those specializing in the salt production and salt chemical industries. In the context of “Emerging Engineering Education” and the “Dual Carbon” background, as well as in alignment with cutting-edge international research, the teaching team at Tianjin University of Science and Technology has introduced salt-water system phase diagrams modified by carbon dioxide (CO₂). This innovation enhances the teaching effectiveness and promotes interdisciplinary integration. This paper focuses on case studies involving CO₂-carbonized salt-water system phase diagrams to address challenges such as alkali recovery and the separation of sodium and potassium salts. These case studies guide students in solving practical engineering problems and achieving resource utilization of salt lakes through CO₂ conversion. This approach significantly broadens students' knowledge in both salt-water system phase diagrams and green chemical engineering, while fostering their innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities in real-world contexts.

Methane is an abundant energy resource, and its catalytic conversion plays a crucial role in China’s energy transition and carbon emission reduction efforts under the “carbon peak and carbon neutrality” goals. This paper reviews and analyzes the research background, transformation pathways, reaction mechanisms, and challenges associated with methane catalytic conversion. It focuses on four primary methods of methane conversion: thermochemical conversion, photochemical conversion, electrochemical conversion, and bioconversion. The chemicals produced through each of these methods are examined in detail, and the paper also looks ahead to the future development directions of methane catalytic conversion. The aim is to provide theoretical and technical insights for the efficient utilization of methane and the reduction of carbon emissions in China.

Carbon dioxide is a major component of greenhouse gases; however, with the advancement of technology, it can be transformed into various useful forms. Through anthropomorphism, this paper introduces the diverse applications of carbon dioxide, such as its transformation into various compounds through catalytic conversion, its use as a supercritical fluid, and as an energy storage medium. This approach allows readers to understand the immense potential of carbon dioxide in an engaging way, while also planting the seeds of bold exploration in young minds, inspiring them to embrace the goal of “turning waste into treasure.”

The massive emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) has led to a series of environmental challenges; however, CO₂ is also a valuable carbon resource. As a result, capturing CO₂ and converting it into high-value chemicals has become an urgent area of research in both science and industry. Chemically, CO₂ is considered a stable, safe, and abundant C1 resource. Converting CO₂ into high-value chemicals not only addresses the issue of CO₂ emissions but also facilitates its resource utilization. Among the various methods, the catalytic addition of CO₂ to epoxides for the preparation of high-value cyclic carbonates is a promising strategy for CO₂ utilization. This process is atomically efficient (100%), generates no by-products, and operates under mild reaction conditions. This review discusses the chemical utilization pathways of CO₂, emphasizes efficient catalysts for the CO₂ cycloaddition reaction, compares the catalytic activities of different types of catalysts, and concludes with a summary and outlook on the progress in CO₂ cycloaddition research.

Amid global climate change and the ongoing energy transition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), has become a major challenge for the international community. The conventional reliance on fossil fuels exacerbates the greenhouse effect and depletes energy resources. Therefore, the development of green technologies capable of converting CO₂ into high-value-added chemicals and fuels is crucial for achieving a circular carbon economy and sustainable development. Electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion, an innovative and environmentally friendly approach, has garnered increasing attention from both academia and industry. This technology utilizes electrochemical methods to convert atmospheric CO₂ into valuable chemicals such as hydrocarbons, alcohols, and acids through specific electrocatalysts. These products hold great potential for applications in energy, materials, and chemical industries. This paper reviews recent advancements in electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion, discusses key scientific challenges and technical obstacles, and explores future development trends, aiming to provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for advancing its commercialization and industrial implementation.

The increasingly severe “greenhouse effect” has made the resource utilization of carbon dioxide (CO₂) an urgent priority. Compared to other alternative approaches, electrochemical CO₂reduction to high-value-added fuels and chemicals powered by renewable electricity offers advantages such as mild operating conditions, environmental friendliness, and high efficiency. This review focuses on CO₂-to-ethylene conversion, as ethylene has the largest market demand among CO₂reduction products. We first provide a brief introduction to the fundamental reaction mechanisms. Next, we discuss advanced catalyst modification strategies and introduce four representative electrolyzers. We then summarize the current progress in CO₂-to-ethylene conversion and highlight the existing scientific and technological challenges. Finally, we conclude with an outlook on the industrial application prospects of CO₂-to-ethylene conversion.

The greenhouse effect poses one of the significant challenges to humanity. Among the various greenhouse gases, CO₂ accounts for 60% to 70% of the total contribution. Importantly, CO₂ is thermodynamically stable and chemically inert, making its conversion a difficult task. Moreover, CO₂ emissions will have a long-term impact on the environment. On the other hand, CH₄ contributes approximately 20% to the overall greenhouse effect. Despite its relatively low concentration, a signal CH₄ molecule has a global warming potential 25 times greater than that of a CO₂ molecule. To mitigate the increasing concentrations of CO₂ and CH₄, many efforts have been developed. Among these, the reforming of CH₄ and CO₂ to syngas is a promising approach. This process not only helps in addressing climate change but also enables the production of value-added chemicals. In this respect, this reaction holds important theoretical significance and practical value.

The discipline of chemistry is constantly making significant strides in the pursuit of carbon emission reduction and resourcing through molecular design and process regulation. Incorporating “dual-carbon” frontier knowledge into undergraduate education is crucial for driving reform in chemistry teaching. This study proposes a three-dimensional progressive framework that integrates “knowledge system restructuring, intelligent platform enhancement, and self-directed inquiry advancement.” This approach transcends the temporal and spatial limitations of traditional classrooms, creating an immersive, whole-process training model. It enables students to make a cognitive leap from knowledge internalization to innovative thinking, significantly enhancing their innovative capabilities and fostering a stronger sense of mission within the discipline.

Scientific frontier achievements should be integrated into classroom teaching, aligning with the urgent needs of national science and technology development and environmental protection. A strong sense of social responsibility should permeate the entire curriculum. This teaching approach not only enriches students' professional knowledge and broadens their academic horizons but also fosters scientific thinking, innovation skills, and the ability to apply knowledge. It has significantly stimulated students’ curiosity and enthusiasm for scientific research. As a key component of inorganic chemistry in undergraduate education, coordination compounds have long been considered both a focal point and a challenge in inorganic chemistry due to their diverse types and wide-ranging properties. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered attention for their unique structural characteristics, demonstrating significant potential for CO₂ capture and green catalytic conversion. This has made MOFs a research hotspot both domestically and internationally. By combining the latest scientific research with accessible reaction examples, this teaching material introduces undergraduate students to recent advancements in the efficient catalytic conversion of CO₂ into high-value fine chemicals using classical porous MOFs.

This article comprehensively elaborates on the history, current situation, and various influences of CO₂, deeply explores the physical and chemical utilization methods of CO₂, and focuses on sorting out the development course of CO₂ chemistry, including the key reaction mechanisms of CO₂. At the same time, it describes in detail the efforts made by mankind to advance the “dual carbon” goal from different perspectives, aiming to present to readers the important role of CO₂ in the evolution of the Earth, scientific research, social development, as well as human actions and explorations in response to climate change.

Aiming at the synergistic requirements of energy development and carbon emission reduction under the “Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Goals”, and addressing the “theory-dominated, application-neglected” issue in traditional phase diagram instruction within physical chemistry curricula, this study establishes a tripartite pedagogical framework integrating “theoretical knowledge - technological application - ideological education” based on the national strategic demand for “natural gas hydrate exploitation with CO₂ sequestration”. Through analytical comparison of phase equilibrium curves between CO₂/CH₄ hydrates and CO₂ gas-liquid systems, this work elucidates the thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms underlying CO₂ replacement-based hydrate extraction and carbon sequestration technologies. By horizontally evaluating current hydrate exploitation techniques and tracking cutting-edge scientific advancements, students are guided to explore ideological topics such as the geopolitical implications of carbon sequestration technologies. The proposed approach pioneers the deep integration of phase diagram theory with national strategic objectives, enhancing students' engineering cognition of multiphase equilibrium principles while cultivating innovative thinking and social responsibility in energy transition. This pedagogical innovation provides a reference pathway for chemical engineering curriculum reform under the “New Engineering Education” initiative.

As a core fundamental course in chemistry, physical chemistry plays a vital role in realizing the “Dual Carbon” goals through its theories and methodologies. This study proposes integrating the “Dual Carbon” concept deeply into physical chemistry teaching reforms. Through integrating ideological and political education elements, refining “Dual Carbon”-related teaching content and introducing scientific research, students are guided to analyze and solve key scientific problems in the “Dual Carbon” field from a physical chemistry perspective. It would cultivate students' scientific research thinking and innovative abilities.

In the face of the severe challenge of global climate change, China's “dual carbon” goals have become a key strategy to promote national sustainable development. To actively respond to this strategic demand, reforms in the field of education, especially in science and technology-related courses, have become particularly urgent. This paper focuses on exploring how to effectively integrate the cutting-edge technology of Metal-CO₂ batteries into bilingual physical chemistry courses. The aim is to achieve, through this innovative practice, not only a deep understanding of advanced energy storage knowledge among students but also a simultaneous enhancement of their bilingual communication and interdisciplinary thinking abilities. By deeply exploring teaching content, innovatively designing teaching methods, meticulously planning evaluation strategies, and comprehensively exploring practical applications, this paper strives to construct a curriculum framework that closely aligns with the requirements of the “dual carbon” goals and effectively promotes the improvement of students' comprehensive qualities and practical operational abilities.

In recent years, Photocatalytic technology which utilizes abundant solar energy for converting CO₂ into valuable hydrocarbon fuels have gained significant research attention. To foster innovative talent development and alleviate environgmental issue, we designed the synthesis of CoAl-LDH/CdS materials and their application in photocatalytic CO₂ reduction experiments. This initiative aims to enhance undergraduates' innovative thinking and practical skills while aligning experimental teaching with national development priorities. The CoAl-LDH/CdS composite material was synthesized through a hydrothermal method, demonstrating its efficacy as an environmentally friendly photocatalyst. Under visible light irradiation, the composite exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic CO₂ reduction activity, achieving a maximum CO yield of 39.02 μmol·g^-1. This study focuses on developing a teaching experiment suitable for widespread implementation in undergraduate laboratory curricula. 1) Optimized Synthesis for Teaching Efficiency: Considering the constraints of undergraduate experiments, such as limited time and operational simplicity, optimal reactant ratios were determined through fluorescence spectrum analysis of CoAl-LDH/CdS materials. This approach ensures the synthesis of high-performance products within restricted class hours while enhancing students' skills in nanomaterial preparation and modern analytical characterization techniques. 2) Enhanced Photocatalytic Mechanisms: The CoAl-LDH/CdS composite significantly improves CO₂ photoreduction by enhancing light absorption and providing abundant active sites, thereby suppressing photogenerated electron-hole pair recombination. This application underscores chemistry's critical role in energy and environmental solutions, deepening students' understanding of photocatalytic technologies in addressing global challenges. 3) Cost-Effective and Sustainable Design: To accommodate large-scale undergraduate participation, material costs were reduced, and pollution was minimized at both source and process stages without compromising experimental efficacy. This approach aligns with green chemistry principles, ensuring educational effectiveness alongside environmental sustainability.