Boosting CO2 hydrogenation to methanol via Cu-Zn synergy over highly dispersed Cu,Zn-codoped ZrO2 catalysts

Supported Cu nanoparticle catalysts are the main players in hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol, however, the challenges in selectivity and catalyst stability have not been properly addressed due to the reverse water-gas shift reaction initiated by Cu nanoparticles and their sintering/oxidation. Here, we have developed a series of Cu,Zn-codoped ZrO2 catalyst, in which Cu and Zn are highly dispersed into the matrix of ZrO2. The optimal Cu,Zn-codoped ZrO2 catalyst demonstrates outstanding performance compared with Cu-doped ZrO2, Zn-doped ZrO2 and Cu-doped ZnO catalysts. Chemisorption, H2-D2 exchange and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy analyses reveal that the synergy interaction between the doped Zn and Cu plays a crucial role in boosting the selective production of methanol synthesis via promoting CO2 adsorption and H2 dissocia-tion. This study provides an intriguing example for the development of selective and stable Cu-catalyst for the CO2 hydrogenation via metal-doping strategy.