Copper Catalysts in Methanol Synthesis: From Understanding to new Materials

The synthesis from syngas is the major route to methanol in the chemical industry. In addition, the CO2 hydrogenation reaction (CO2 + 3 H2 -> CH3OH + H2O) is a preferred way for the utilization of carbon dioxide in the context of clean and sustainable fuel production. Cu/ZnO composite systems are employed in the industrial process, and are also the most promising starting point and benchmark for potential new CO2 utilization processes.

The Cu/ZnO catalysts has been studied intensively with regard to the nature of the active sites, the reaction mechanism of methanol synthesis, the nature and function of the synergetic CuZnO interaction and the role of additional promoters like Al2O3. Our research approach focuses on the industrial high-performance catalysts and its synthesis and structure-performance relationships. The resulting options for catalyst optimization will be discussed.

Experimental and computational results show that copper can catalyse different routes to methanol via carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, respectively. The presence or absence of the Zn promoter decides on the actual mechanism.