CO2 hydrogenation to methanol via ZnO-SBA-15-supported Cu6 catalysts

Abstract

This study presents a mesoporous material-based catalyst for the CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol reaction, utilizing copper nanoclusters (Cu₆) immobilized on Zn-modified SBA-15. The Cu₆–ZnO–SBA-15 catalysts are prepared by the wet impregnation of ZnO–SBA-15 with various metal loading contents. Multi-technique characterization shows uniform active phase dispersion within or on the mesoporous SBA-15 channels. The catalytic experiments reveal that the catalyst with the lowest copper content (2 wt%) exhibits superior activity with a methanol space–time yield of 232.5 (mol_MeOH kg_Cu⁻¹ h⁻¹) and a selectivity of 86%. Furthermore, the confinement of the active phase into the structure of SBA-15 prevents sintering to some extent, implying the excellent stabilization effect of the support. This study highlights the potential of using small nanoclusters prepared by wet chemistry in high-pressure CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol.