Evaluation of Au/ZrO2 Catalysts Prepared via Postsynthesis Methods in CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol

Au nanoparticles supported on ZrO2 enhance its surface acidic/basic properties to produce a high yield of methanol via the hydrogenation CO2. Amorphous ZrO2-supported 0.5–1 wt.% catalysts were synthesized by two methods, namely deposition precipitation (DP) and impregnation (IMP), characterized variety techniques, evaluated in process CO2 methanol. The DP-method highly advantageous over IMP-method catalyst. DP method delivered samples with large area, along control particle size. strength number acidic basic sites was enhanced catalyst surface. These changes attributed greatly improved catalytic activity when compared IMP method. variations due different preparation methods exhibited huge impact formation important intermediates (formate, dioxymethylene methoxy) their rapid formate route, as revealed means situ DRIFTS (diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy) analysis. Finally, rate increased synergy between metal support.