Manganese Oxide as a Promoter for Copper Catalysts in CO2 and CO Hydrogenation

Abstract In this work, we discuss the role of manganese oxide as a promoter in Cu catalysts supported on graphitic carbon during hydrogenation of CO2 and CO. MnOx is a selectivity modifier in an H2/CO2 feed and is a highly effective activity promoter in an H2/CO feed. Interestingly, the presence of MnOx suppresses the methanol formation from CO2 (TOF of 0.7 ⋅ 10−3 s−1 at 533 K and 40 bar) and enhances the low‐temperature reverse water‐gas shift reaction (TOF of 5.7 ⋅ 10−3 s−1) with a selectivity to CO of 87 %C. Using time‐resolved XAS at high temperatures and pressures, we find significant absorption of CO2 to the MnO, which is reversed if CO2 is removed from the feed. This work reveals fundamental differences in the promoting effect of MnOx and ZnOx and contributes to a better understanding of the role of reducible oxide promoters in Cu‐based hydrogenation catalysts.