Formation of a ZnO Overlayer in Industrial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 Catalysts Induced by Strong Metal–Support Interactions. Issue 15 (13th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lunkenbein, Thomas; Schumann, Julia; Behrens, Malte; Schlögl, Robert; Willinger, Marc G.
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 54:Issue 15(2015)
• Page Start: 4544
• Page End: 4548
• Publication Date: 2015-02-13
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201411581
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>In industrially relevant Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalysts for methanol synthesis, the strong metal support interaction between Cu and ZnO is known to play a key role. Here we report a detailed chemical transmission electron microscopy study on the nanostructural consequences of the strong metal support interaction in an activated high‐performance catalyst. For the first time, clear evidence for the formation of metastable "graphite‐like" ZnO layers during reductive activation is provided. The description of this metastable layer might contribute to the understanding of synergistic effects between the components of the Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalysts.</p> </abstract>