Methanol synthesis from CO2 and H-2 on CU/ZnO/Al2O3-ZrO2 catalysts

Effect of preparation method and substitution of Al2O3 by ZrO2 on the adsor ption of CO, CO2, H2O and methanol on the Cu/ZnO/Al2O3-ZrO2 catalysts as we ll as their activity in the synthesis of methanol from CO2, and H-2 were in vestigated. The catalytic activity increases in the series: Cu/ZnO/Al2O3, o btained by coprecipitation <Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 obtained by the amorphous precurso r (citric acid) method <Cu/ZnO/Al2O3-ZrO2 obtained by the amorphous precurs or (citric acid) method. it has been found that catalysts obtained by using citric acid as gelling agent show higher adsorption of methanol compared t o water than the catalysts obtained by the coprecipitation. A partial subst itution of Al2O3 by ZrO2 evidently decreases the reversible adsorption of w ater and CO. A correlation between adsorptive and catalytic properties has been established. With increasing ratio of irreversible CO2/CO or CH3OH/H2O adsorption, an increase of the catalysts activity in the synthesis of meth anol from CO2 and H-2 is observed.