The Mechanism of the Cotton Template on the Structure and Catalytic Activity of Zr/Sn Oxide Catalysts

The resource utilization of CO 2 has garnered significant attention. Among various approaches, the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from CO 2 is considered an effective route to reduce chemical pollution and achieve atomic economy. In this work, Zr/Sn metal oxide catalysts were prepared by combining the precipitation method with a cotton-templating approach. The mechanistic role of the cotton template in modulating the catalyst structure and its performance in DMC synthesis were systematically investigated. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, UV-Vis DRS, and Raman spectroscopy to elucidate their morphology, crystalline structure, and optical properties. Furthermore, the structure-activity relationship was established based on catalytic tests. The results indicated that the template agent has a remarkable impact on the structural properties and catalytic activity of the Zr/Sn-2–5 g catalyst. The strong interaction between ZrO 2 and SnO 2 facilitates the dispersion and stability of active sites, thereby enhancing the catalyst’s activity and selectivity. Notably, the Zr/Sn-4 g catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic activity, yielding 1.74 mmol/g of DMC. This study offers new insights into the design of efficient catalysts for the direct synthesis of DMC from CO 2 . Graphical