Gas-phase continuous synthesis of metal-organic framework-derived hybrid catalysts for combined CO2 and CO hydrogenation to methanol

Abstract

Aerosol-based continuous synthesis for metal–organic framework (MOF) derived catalyst materials, in combination with real-time gas-phase electrophoresis for material characterization, is demonstrated for methanol production via combined CO2 and CO hydrogenation. Cu-based and Zn-based MOF colloids were prepared as the templates for the synthesis of Cu-ZnO catalysts supported on either Al2O3 or CeO2. The results showed the incorporation of real-time gas-phase electrophoresis enabled traceability of continuous catalyst production. Optimal selectivity of 90.52 %, and space–time yield of 7.50 mmol gcat−1h−1 were achievable in the methanol production. Interestingly, the space–time yield of methanol was shown to be linearly proportional to metal surface area of the catalyst. This study demonstrated significant advances in the continuous production of MOF-derived hybrid catalysts through aerosol-phase synthesis with real-time characterization. The high catalytic performance of the developed materials in the combined CO2 and CO hydrogenation to methanol bears promise for applications in the field of CO2 utilization.