Boosting the Catalytic Performance of CuOx in CO2 Hydrogenation by Incorporating CeO2 Promoters

Abstract Copper is one of the most promising components in CO 2 hydrogenation reactions, however, it still seriously suffers from the lower capability in CO 2 activity, as well as poor durability. Herein, a novel copper‐cerium mixed metal oxide is fabricated via a controllable surface deposition route, showing excellent catalytic performance in CO 2 hydrogenation. Of particular note, among the various samples with tunable Cu/Ce molar ratios, the obtained CuO x ‐5CeO 2 containing 0.42% Ce exhibits the highest catalytic activity with ≈31% CO 2 conversion and 98% CO selectivity at 380 °C, as well as an excellent stability for 50 h. The as‐prepared catalysts are then characterized by H 2 ‐temperature‐programmed reduction, CO 2 ‐termperature programmed desorption, and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy to explore the possible reaction pathways. The results indicate the significance of the interactions between CuO x and CeO 2 , which can facilitate the activation of H 2 and CO 2 simultaneously, to promote the formation of formate intermediates.