CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol over ZrO2-Containing Catalysts: Insights into ZrO2 Induced Synergy

Catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 with renewable H2 to methanol represents a promising pathway for reducing anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Catalysts play a key role in enhancing both the hydrogenation rate and methanol selectivity. ZrO2 is a promising catalyst support, promoter and even active species for CO2 hydrogenation due to its versatile properties and weak hydrophilic character. Over the past decades substantial progress has been made in designing high performance catalysts and understanding the hydrogenation mechanisms over ZrO2-supported catalysts. ZrO2 interacts with metals and/or other oxides and consequently may affect the CO2 adsorption and activation, enhance the dissociation of H2 and spillover of atomic hydrogen, change the reaction pathways and/or the binding of key reaction intermediates for further conversion. The synergistic effects induced by ZrO2 could be achieved by improving the metal dispersion, modifying surface basicity and interacting with other components (metals, cosupports or promoters). However, although experimental and computational investigations have been extensively performed, the multiple roles of ZrO2 in the catalytic process are still under debate. In the current Perspective, we use ZrO2-containing catalysts as a model system to elucidate the governing principles for designing high performance catalysts with multiple active components for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol.