Highly effective conversion of CO2 to methanol over supported and promotedcopper-based catalysts: influence of support and promoter

In this study, gallium-promoted copper-based catalysts prepared by impregna tion methods on silica and ZnO supports. were examined for the hydrogenatio n of CO2 to methanol. The surface characteristics of catalysts depended on the support and were related to their catalytic performance. Silica-support ed catalysts tested at reaction temperatures between 523 and 543 K were hig hly selective and stable. The selectivity to methanol was around 99%, the c onversion to CO was very low and negligible amounts of hydrocarbons were fo rmed. The use of hydrophobic silica enhanced the performance of the catalys t in terms of activity, selectivity and stability. The modification of prop erties of copper particles is related to the presence of very small particl es of Ga2O3 on the surface. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser ved.