A Highly Selective CuZnY Catalyst for CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol

Achieving carbon neutrality through CO 2 hydrogenation is critical for sustainable energy and chemical industries, where methanol production remains a key target. Despite existing catalysts, challenges persist in low CO 2 conversion, poor methanol selectivity, and activity instability. This study introduces a novel ternary Cu/Zn/Y catalyst synthesized via co-precipitation to address these limitations. Tested under 5 MPa, 250 °C, H 2 /CO 2 = 3:1, and 12,000 h⁻¹, the catalyst achieved a CO 2 conversion rate of 16.6% and a methanol selectivity of 56.6%, outperforming the CuZnAl benchmark with a 14.3% higher methanol space-time yield (402.3 mg/(gcat·h)). Optimal yttrium doping enhanced methanol selectivity by 20%, attributed to improved copper dispersion. However, excess Y occupancy disrupted Cu–Zn interactions, reducing CO 2 conversion and stability, highlighting critical trade-offs. These insight underscore the potential of Cu/Zn/Y catalysts for carbon-neutral technologies and emphasize the need for optimized Y doping to balance selectivity and stability. Graphical