A Cu/Zn/Al/Zr Fibrous Catalyst that is an Improved CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol Catalyst

Abstract

A series of Cu/Zn/Al/Zr CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol catalysts containing different ratios of Al/Zr were prepared using a co-precipitation procedure. SEM, TEM, and XRD characterization showed that all the catalysts comprised crystallites in a fibrous structure and their Cu/Zn crystallite dispersions were better than that of a commercial (COM) catalyst. It is suggested that the high dispersion and stability of the Cu/Zn crystallites due to the fibrous structure enhanced CO 2 hydrogenation, and the added Zr component further improved the catalyst. A 5% Zr addition gave a methanol space time yield 80% higher than that on the COM catalyst.

Copper crystallite size and methanol synthesis catalytic property of Cu-based catalysts promoted by Al, Zr and Mn

“…Both are regarded as effective components [17] that affect the microstructure so that the activity and stability are greatly improved. This was also verified in our previous study [18]. In addition, the microscopic morphology of a Cu-based catalyst before and after deactivation has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) [19].…”

“…The CuZnAlZrMn catalyst had an activity that was only better than CuZn. This result indicated that Al and Zr are excellent promoters in improving the activity for methanol synthesis, and the ratio of 1:1 of the two promoters in the CuZnAlZr catalyst is the best [18]. The addition of Al or Zr gave a better catalytic performance.…”

“…The activity increase from 463 to 483 K was rapid, while the increase was less from 493 to 513 K. For example, the STY of the CuZnAl catalyst was 0.186 g gcat -1 h -1 at 463 K and 0.543 g gcat -1 h -1 at 483 K, which was an increase that was as much as 0.357 g gcat -1 h -1 , while in the same temperature increase interval from 493 to 513 K, the increase was 0.0917 g gcat -1 h -1 . The activity of the CuZnAlZr catalyst even decreased a little from 503 to 513 K because of the thermodynamic equilibrium [18]. Among these catalysts, the CuZnAlZr catalyst gave the highest activity in the whole temperature range while the CuZn catalyst was the least active catalyst.…”

Chemical Recycling of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol and Dimethyl Ether: From Greenhouse Gas to Renewable, Environmentally Carbon Neutral Fuels and Synthetic Hydrocarbons

“…[49][50][51][52] In view of our present understanding of the mechanism of the syngas based chemistry, this is not unexpected. Although still debated, it is now usually accepted that methanol is formed almost exclusively by hydrogenation of CO 2 contained in the syngas on the catalyst's surface.…”

Recent advances in catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide

“…172 Because of the high stability under reducing or oxidizing atmospheres, zirconia has also been considered as an excellent promoter or support for the methanol synthesis catalyst. 151,156,163 Catalytic activity and selectivity toward methanol are both improved due to the enhanced copper dispersion in the presence of ZrO 2 . 151,159,160,174,175 In addition, the crystal types of zirconia influence performance of the catalyst.…”