CO2 hydrogenation to methanol on Zr-promoted Cu catalysts: Insights into the origin of activity enhancement

Etim, Ubong J. and Zhong, Ziyi 2027. CO2 hydrogenation to methanol on Zr-promoted Cu catalysts: Insights into the origin of activity enhancement. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 221 , 114254. 10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.114254

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Abstract

CO2 hydrogenation to valuable products has gained significant attention due to its potential to reduce carbon emissions. Zr-promoted Cu catalysts display excellent methanol formation rates because ZrOx possesses versatile catalytic properties as a promoter in CO2 hydrogenation; however, the origin of the enhanced catalytic performance is unclear due to the strong interaction between Zr and Cu. In this study we deposit Zr species in a porous material as a spacer, and explore its promotion of the Cu catalyst. Cu/SBA-15 catalysts with varying Zr contents were synthesized and investigated in detail. Surface and structural characterizations indicate that the metal species are dispersed in the SBA-15 support. Zr species strongly anchor to the Si atoms via Si-OH groups, forming Si-O-Zr linkages and incorporating into the SBA-15 matrix. Cu species are also dispersed on the SBA-15 matrix with hotspots on the surface, implying aggregation of small Cu particles. This catalyst architecture results in electronic interaction between Cu and Zr, forming Cu+-Zr interfaces, which benefit the formation of *HCOO over adsorbed CO; however, both intermediates participate in methanol production. Based on these results, it is concluded that the Cu+-Zr interface plays a crucial role as the active site for methanol production, improving the activity (STYmethanol) of CuZr catalysts at least 4-fold compared with Cu/SBA-15.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Chemistry Schools > Physical, Chemical & Environmental Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0022-3697
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	10 November 2026
Date of Acceptance:	31 October 2026
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2026 12:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/190820

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