Issue 44, 2024

Synthesis of a Cu@ZnO1−x/Al2O3 catalyst with high-density ZnO1−x–Cu interfacial sites for enhanced CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Abstract

The development of catalysts with high-density interfacial sites is crucial for enhancing catalytic performance. However, the efficient construction of interfacial sites remains a significant challenge. In this study, we introduced a ligand-regulated co-precipitation synthesis strategy to fabricate a Cu@ZnO1−x/Al2O3 catalyst. The catalyst possesses high-density partially-reduced ZnO1−x–Cu interfacial sites and exhibits enhanced activity for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. The methanol space-time yield (STY) of the Cu@ZnO1−x/Al2O3 was 3.8 times higher than that of the commercial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 after 14 h of continuous reaction. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and in situ Raman spectroscopy indicated that Cu–X–Zn linkage ligands formed in the precursor solution during hydrothermal treatment facilitated zinc-malachite formation during co-precipitation, which promoted Cu–ZnO interface formation during H2 reduction. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed partially-reduced ZnO1−x–Cu interfaces were more active via the formate pathway. This work reveals a novel and robust route for designing catalysts with high-density interfacial sites, shedding light on catalyst development.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis of a Cu@ZnO1−x/Al2O3 catalyst with high-density ZnO1−x–Cu interfacial sites for enhanced CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Aug 2024
Accepted
08 Oct 2024
First published
10 Oct 2024

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 30692-30706

Synthesis of a Cu@ZnO1−x/Al2O3 catalyst with high-density ZnO1−x–Cu interfacial sites for enhanced CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Y. Wu, H. Wang and Z. Wu, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 30692 DOI: 10.1039/D4TA05801A

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