Water- and reduction-free preparation of oxygen vacancy rich Cu-ZnO-ZrO2 catalysts for promoted methanol synthesis from CO2

Methanol synthesis via CO2 hydrogenation has been documented as a promising route for CO2 catalytic utilization and clean energy supply, yet conventional catalysts should be further improved to facilitate methanol generation. Herein, oxygen vacancy rich Cu-ZnO-ZrO2 catalysts were prepared via a facile solid-state method. As-obtained CZZ catalysts perform dramatically in CO2 hydrogenation reactions with high methanol selectivity up to 93.5% at 240 °C and 3.0 MPa. They consist of metallic copper, zinc oxide and amorphous zirconium species, and present considerable surface areas. Benefited from the facile preparation process, no wastewater is produced, and no reduction is required. The samples also contain high proportions of oxygen vacancies (up to 60.4%) compared with the conventional catalyst (only 47.6%). Accordingly, these oxygen vacancies benefit adsorption of CO2 and migration of intermediates, and therefore benefit the methanol formation and elevate the methanol selectivity. Remarkable catalytic properties are therefore achieved using these catalysts.