Journal Article

Fabrication Method‐Engineered Cu–ZnO/SiO2 Catalysts with Highly Dispersed Metal Nanoparticles toward Efficient Utilization of Methanol as a Hydrogen Carrier

Cao, Zezhong, Chen, Xuelian, Xu, Tao, Zhang, Xiao Li, Liu, Jian, Reina, Tomas Ramirez, Ye, Run-Ping, Chen, Yanping, Jin, Yonggang

2021

Overview

CO2 hydrogenation to methanol and methanol steam reforming (MSR) are regarded as two critical reactions for transportation and on‐site production of hydrogen, but it still lacks of efficient catalysts for both reactions. Herein, the CuZnSi‐ammonia evaporation method (AEM) catalyst prepared by AEM with extremely low metal loading and highly dispersed Cu/Zn species, in particular, high concentration of Cu+ species, exhibits an optimum space‐time yield of methanol (1888.3 g kgCu−1 h−1) and an exceptional specific activity of 282.6 molCO2 kgCu−1 h−1, which is higher than a majority of the reported catalysts. Furthermore, the CuZnSi‐AEM catalyst is also active for MSR reaction with low CO selectivity. The results reveal that the morphology, exposed Cu+ species, and synergistic Cu–ZnOx interaction are the key guiding factors for the successful utilization of methanol as a hydrogen carrier. Optimizing the preparation methods of Cu–ZnO/SiO2 catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol and its steam reforming: unlocking greenhouse conversion routes and hydrogen transportation via engineering catalysis. The ammonia evaporation method is found to be favorable and sustainable for the one‐pot catalyst preparation.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,Wiley-VCH
• Subject: Ammonia / Carbon dioxide / Catalysts / CO2 hydrogenation / Copper / Cu-based catalysts / Evaporation / Fabrication / Hydrogen / hydrogen generation and storage / Hydrogen production / Hydrogenation / Methanol / methanol stream reforming / Methods / Morphology / Nanoparticles / Pore size / Reforming / Scanning electron microscopy / Silicon dioxide / Spheres / sustainability / Transmission electron microscopy / Zinc oxide