Improved Cu- and Zn-based catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Abstract

Abstract In this study the influence of metal dispersion, spinel formation, and surface properties of binary and ternary catalysts (CuO CeO2, ZnO CeO2, CuO ZnO CeO2, and CuO ZnO Al2O3) was evaluated. The catalysts prepared by polyol method using polyethylene glycol as a solvent have been tested in the CO2 hydrogenation to methanol performed at atmospheric pressure. The catalysts prepared by polyol method presented improved properties in terms of metal oxide dispersion, morphology (i.e. sponge-like shape for the CeO2-containing catalysts), and a large variety of metal and metal oxide species on the surface. Moreover, the CuO ZnO CeO2 and CuO ZnO Al2O3 catalysts exhibited a higher activity and selectivity in the methanol synthesis by CO2 hydrogenation than those displayed by catalysts prepared by more conventional methods.