Structure-Performance Correlations Over Cu/Zno Interface For Low-Temperature Methanol Synthesis From Syngas Containing Co2

Cu/ZnO catalysts with varied Cu/(Cu + Zn) molar ratios were prepared by a facile solid-state method. The Cu/(Cu + Zn) molar ratio displayed a significant effect on the oxygen vacancy formation of the calcined catalysts, thereby influencing the CuO-ZnO interaction and the reducibility of CuO. The Cu/(Cu + Zn) molar ratio also exhibited a significant effect on Cu-0 surface area, oxygen vacancy, the ratio of ZnO(002) plane to ZnO(100) plane, as well as the basicity and acidity of the reduced catalysts, thereby affecting the catalytic performance for low-temperature methanol synthesis from syngas containing CO2. The correlations of methanol space time yield (STY) versus the physicochemical characteristics of Cu/ZnO catalysts were studied. The catalyst with equal amounts of Cu and Zn displayed the best catalytic activity owing to higher Cu-0 surface area, more oxygen vacancy and ZnO(002) plane, as well as more moderately basic sites.