Work

Selective Hydrogenation of CO2 to Methanol over Si-Modified Cu/Zn/Zr Catalyst with ZrSiO4 Spacer via the RWGS + CO-Hydro Pathway

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The industrial application of copper-based catalysts is significantly hindered by the inherent tendency of Cu species to aggregate and sinter during the CO 2 hydrogenation processes. Herein, we tailored a remarkably efficient Si-modified Cu/Zn/Zr catalyst where the generated ZrSiO 4 species on the catalyst surface spatially separated the active Cu components. This structural modification effectively regulated both the exposed Cu surface area and the quantity and strength of strong basic sites. In addition, an in situ DRIFTS analysis revealed that the target reaction proceeded via the RWGS + CO-Hydro pathway. Compared with the silicon-free catalyst, the more produced intermediate *CO would be rapidly consumed by H spillover from the Cu sites. Under reaction conditions of 230 °C, 3.0 MPa, and 3000 mL·g –1 ·h –1, the Si-modified catalyst demonstrated a 19% increase in CO 2 conversion and a 42% rise in methanol selectivity versus the Cu/Zn/Zr catalyst, while demonstrating excellent stability, particularly the resistance to high-temperature sintering. The strategy in our work might provide a guideline of nonmetallic modification to improve the current industrial catalyst.

Source: ACS Omega

DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.5c02095

Authors: Yuanxiang Xu, Xuguang Wang, Zixin Song, Shunshun Li, Muqian He, Dianhua Liu

Institution: East China University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Catalysts for Methane Reforming

Subfield: Catalysis

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,935

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities