Spatially proximate In 5 and In 4+1···In 4 on In 2O 3 enable efficient dimethyl carbonate synthesis from CO 2 below 100 oC
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The low-temperature transformation of CO2 and CH3OH into dimethyl carbonate (DMC) represents a sustainable and low-carbon pathway for producing essential chemicals. An ideal energy-efficient catalysis necessitates a catalyst capable of facilitating interactions between the simultaneously activated CO2 and CH3OH. Herein, we designed the spatially proximate In5 and In4+1…ּIn4 sites on the In2O3 surface (Fig 1a), enabling efficient DMC synthesis from CO2 and CH3OH below 100 °C. The In5 sites are responsible for CH3OH adsorption; while CO2 adsorbs on the In4+1…In4 pairs through interactions between its O atom with two In sites, as well as between the C atom and a lattice O atom. Furthermore, the spatial intimacy of In5 and In4+1…In4 sites, with a distance of ~ 4.7 Å, facilitate direct interaction between the adsorbed CO2 and CH3OH. By optimizing oxygen vacancies, porous In2O3 nanocubes with abundant dual-active sites achieved a DMC generation rate of 8.1 mmol gcat-1 h-1 at 100 °C, significantly surpassing previously reported catalysts. These findings demonstrate a promising route for the energy-efficient DMC synthesis from CO2 and CH3OH.
Source: Nano Research
Authors: You Wang, Jiyun Ren, Qing Guo, Ke Ma, Wenjie Guo, Fangxian Cao, Sai Zhang
Language: English
Subfield: Process Chemistry and Technology
Field: Chemical Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,290
OpenAlex ID: W4410174070