Enhanced activity of CexZr1-xO2 solid solutions supported Cu-based catalysts for hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol

Abstract

Hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol is one of the promising environmentally and economically technologies which can convert CO2 to sustainable fuels. A series of CexZr1-xO2 solid solutions were synthesized by solvent evaporation self-assembly method and employed as the supports of Cu-based catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. The obtained catalysts were systematically characterized by N2 physisorption, XRD, CO2-TPD, TEM, N2O titration, XPS and H2-TPR techniques. It is found that the reduction performance, the adsorption and activation ability for CO2 are enhanced by the formation of ceria-zirconia solid solution. The Ce/Zr ratio of the catalysts and the feature of the supports are crucial for tuning the catalytic activity. The Cu/CexZr1-xO2 catalysts display much higher methanol selectivity than Cu/ZrO2 and the improved methanol selectivity stems from inhibition of the RWGS activity.