Methanol synthesis from CO2 + H2 II. Copper-based binary and ternary catalysts

The methanol synthesis reaction from CO2 + H2 was carried out under a pressure of 50 atm and at a W/F of 0.0035 g min ml−1 over various binary and ternary catalysts containing copper oxide. Among the binary catalysts tested at 240°C, CuO/ZrO2 catalysts particularly with 40 wt% CuO showed the highest conversion and selectivity to methanol. The ternary catalysts were prepared by adding the third component to CuO/ZrO2(40:60). Some of the third components, notably alumina, increased the conversion to methanol, but all except graphite lowered the methanol selectivity. While graphite had no promotional effect on the activity, it kept the selectivity at the same level as that of CuO/ZrO2 catalysts. In general, the surface area did not play an important role in the activity of the catalysts.