Methanol synthesis over Cu/CeO2–ZrO2 catalysts: the key role of multiple active components. Issue 1 (17th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zabilskiy, Maxim; Ma, Kaibo; Beck, Arik; van Bokhoven, Jeroen A.
• Is Part Of: Catalysis science & technology. Volume 11:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 349
• Page End: 358
• Publication Date: 2020-11-17
• Subjects: Catalysis -- Periodicals; 541.395
• DOI: 10.1039/d0cy01762k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-4753

Abstract

Abstract : Importance of well-dispersed copper species and well-developed ceria–zirconia surface during catalytic carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methanol. Abstract : High surface area ceria–zirconia synthesized by a glycothermal approach was used as a support for copper nanoparticles. Cu–CeO2 /ZrO2 catalysts containing 5–25 wt% copper demonstrate high carbon dioxide-to-methanol conversion rates (120–180 gMeOH kgcat −1 h −1 ) at 260 °C and 50 bar. The sample containing 5 wt% copper in the form of small nanoparticles (≤5 nm) demonstrates the highest activity normalized per mass of copper, while higher copper loading results in copper segregation and correspondingly lower activity. We attribute the high activity to a unique synergetic effect between the active components, copper, ceria and zirconia, where activation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and subsequent methanol synthesis take place. The redox properties of the ceria–zirconia support and its ability to form oxygen vacancy sites play a crucial role in carbon dioxide activation.