Greener and facile synthesis of Cu/ZnO catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol by urea hydrolysis of acetates. Issue 24 (20th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Phongprueksathat, Nat; Bansode, Atul; Toyao, Takashi; Urakawa, Atsushi
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 11:Issue 24(2021)
• Page Start: 14323
• Page End: 14333
• Publication Date: 2021-04-20
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ra02103f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Sodium- and nitrate-free hydroxy-carbonate precursors were prepared via urea hydrolysis co-precipitation of acetate salt, which is simpler with fewer steps, even without the need for a washing and pH control, rendering the synthesis more sustainable. Abstract : Cu/ZnO-based catalysts for methanol synthesis by CO x hydrogenation are widely prepared via co-precipitation of sodium carbonates and nitrate salts, which eventually produces a large amount of wastewater from the washing step to remove sodium (Na + ) and/or nitrate (NO3 − ) residues. The step is inevitable since the remaining Na + acts as a catalyst poison whereas leftover NO3 − induces metal agglomeration during the calcination. In this study, sodium- and nitrate-free hydroxy-carbonate precursors were prepared via urea hydrolysis co-precipitation of acetate salt and compared with the case using nitrate salts. The Cu/ZnO catalysts derived from calcination of the washed and unwashed precursors show catalytic performance comparable to the commercial Cu/ZnO/Al2 O3 catalyst in CO2 hydrogenation at 240–280 °C and 331 bar. By the combination of urea hydrolysis and the nitrate-free precipitants, the catalyst preparation is simpler with fewer steps, even without the need for a washing step and pH control, rendering the synthesis more sustainable.