Preparation of Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst for CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol by CO2 assisted aging

A Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst prepared by adding CO 2 during the aging step was used for methanol synthesis from CO 2 and H2. The catalysts were characterized by N 2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, temperature-programmed decomposition, and temperature-programmed reduction. The precursor from the modified method with added CO2 had malachite and hydrotalcite-like phases and was more stable than that of the sample without added CO2. After calcination, the modified catalyst had a higher surface area, larger pore volume, and smaller particle size. The modified catalyst gave a higher activity for methanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation in the reaction temperature range of 200-260 °C. © 2011 Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences.