Synthesis, characterization and activity pattern of carbon nanofibers based copper/zirconia catalysts for carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methanol: Influence of calcination temperature

• Main Authors: Ud Din, I., Shaharun, M.S., Subbarao, D., Naeem, A.
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier 2015
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84908441193&doi=10.1016%2fj.jpowsour.2014.10.087&partnerID=40&md5=3e07eee02ed377596ca46b60d7203c7d; http://eprints.utp.edu.my/26006/

A series of novel carbon nanofibers (CNFs) supported bimetallic copper/zirconia catalysts are synthesized by deposition precipitation method and calcined at different temperatures. Calcined catalysts are characterized by various techniques like X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption, N2O chemisorption, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, temperature programmed reduction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption (CO2 & NH3). The structure-activity correlation is discussed in details. The results demonstrate 450 °C as optimum calcination temperature for methanol synthesis rate with CO2/H2 feed volume ratio of 1:3. CO2 conversion is found to be directly proportional to copper metallic surface area (SCu), while a linear relationship is observed between methanol synthesis rate and fraction of dispersed Cu. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.