Modulation of Electronic Metal-Support Interaction between Cu and ZnO by Er for Effective Low-Temperature CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol

Methanol produced by CO2 hydrogenation is an essential carrier for a sustainable carbon cycle. However, achieving an efficient methanol synthesis on traditional CuZnO catalysts at low temperatures remains challenging due to the inertness of CO2. Herein, we designed Er–CuZnO catalysts that exhibited remarkable activity for low-temperature methanol synthesis. At 170 °C, the catalyst achieved a methanol selectivity of 89.8% at a CO2 conversion of 8.5% on Er0.2CuZnO, which outperformed most CuZnO-based catalysts. The particle size of ZnO was reduced after Er was added to the lattice, which increased the Cu–ZnO interfaces and created a strong electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) between Cu and ZnO. The electron was transferred from ZnO to Cu, forming Cuδ−. Cuδ− with more negative charges enhanced CO2 adsorbed species and intermediates activation, while facilitating surface carbonate activation and the hydrogenation of *CO intermediates into *HCO species, promoting the methanol formation at low temperatures.