The performance of Cu/Zn/Zr catalysts of different Zr/(Cu+Zn) ratio for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Abstract

A series of Cu/Zn/Zr catalysts with different Zr/(Cu + Zn) ratio were prepared by the precipitation method and tested for the synthesis of methanol (CO2/H2 mixture). The physicochemical properties of the solids were investigated by XRD, BET, H2-TPR, N2O-H2 titration, XPS and CO2-TPD techniques. An interesting “volcano- type” profile of structural and catalytic performance was demonstrated, which proved the structure sensitivity of reaction. The surface area of Cu, the surface adsorbed oxygen and the moderately strong basic sites concentration should be considered as significant activity parameters for the reaction.

Keywords

• CO2 hydrogenation
• Methanol
• Cu/Zn/Zr catalysts