Synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO2 and methanol over CeO2 nanoparticles/Co3O4 nanosheets

The reaction of methanol and CO 2 is an ideal route for the utilization of CO 2 resources and the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC), which is an important fuel and fuel-additive. In this work, we developed a catalyst of CeO 2 nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) loaded on Co 3 O 4 nanosheets (Co 3 O 4 NSs) with the Ce/Co molar ratio of 3/7 (Ce 3 -NPs/Co 7 -NSs) which could efficiently catalyze the reaction. The formation activity and the yield of DMC reached 16.8 mmol·g cat -1 ·h −1 and 47.2 % (based on methanol), surpassing most reported catalysts, especially at a relatively low temperature of 120 ℃. Characterization results indicated that the Co 3 O 4 NSs could enhance the amounts of oxygen vacancies and CO 2 adsorption but reduce methanol adsorption. The adsorption equilibrium between methanol and CO 2 is crucial for the titled reaction, and the in-situ IR spectra confirmed that the catalyst could simultaneously activate CO 2 and methanol and the reaction involves a Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) mechanism. The present strategy for constructing a catalyst of CeO 2 nanoparticles loaded on Co 3 O 4 nanosheets provides an efficient catalyst for the DMC synthesis from CO 2 and methanol and offers an important reference in building other catalysts with adjustable adsorption capacities of CO 2 and methanol.