A Critical Review on Indium Zirconium Oxide-based Catalysts for Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol

Abstract

The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) to methanol is a crucial step in achieving the resourceful use of CO 2 , which features the significance of alleviating environmental problems and providing clean energy. The indium zirconium oxide (InZrO x )-based catalysts would be a promising type of methanol catalyst, whose reactivity, however, remains unsatisfactory. In this context, this paper first describes the thermodynamic limitations and reaction mechanisms of CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol. The specific structures of the indium oxide and zirconium oxide materials were introduced and linked with their methanol performances, respectively. Based on these basics, the recent advancements of the InZrO x -based composite catalysts for methanol synthesis were reviewed, with an emphasis on the developments of the structure-activity relationships. Some recent modification techniques to improve methanol performance were also presented. Finally, the directions for future research to improve the catalyst reactivity in methanol synthesis were highlighted.