A study on methanol synthesis through CO2 hydrogenation over copper-based catalysts

Abstract

In CO2 hydrogenation over Cu/ZrO2 based catalysts, the methanol formation activity could be correlated with copper dispersion. The reaction intermediates of methanol synthesis were carbonate, formate, formaldehyde and/or methoxy, and the rate determining step for methanol synthesis seems to be the conversion of formate into formaldehyde or methoxy.