The group of LI Can has found that a bimetallic solid oxide catalyst ZnO-ZrO2 provides a dual active center reaction site composed of Zn and Zr, in which H2 and CO2 are activated at the Zn sites and show synergistic effects in the CO2 hydrogenation process, so that methanol is produced with high selectivity. In situ infrared – mass spectrometric isotope experiments and DFT theoretical calculations show that surface HCOO* and H3CO* are the main active intermediate species of the reaction. The catalyst was used for 500 hours without inactivation. It had excellent sintering stability and a certain ability to resist sulfur, providing good industrial prospects.
CAS news release, October 20, 2017
CAS Dalian DICP develops catalyst for highly selective hydrogenation of CO2