Catalytic Activity of Polymetallic and Hydrotalcite-like Catalysts in the Synthesis of Methanol by Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation

Abstract

Two Cu-Zn-Al catalysts prepared by the coprecipitation method, both differing in their type of structure, one as a mixed oxide (polymetallic catalyst) and the other as a hydrotalcite-like catalyst, were used for the synthesis of methanol by hydrogenation of CO2 in a fixed bed reactor system, operating under conditions of low pressure (6 bar) and temperature of 265°C. The effect of the composition of the catalyst on its catalytic activity under low pressure conditions was investigated. The main results show that the highest CO2 conversion is found with Cu-ZnAl polymetallic catalyst, however, the best selectivity to methanol is shown for Cu-Zn-Al hydrotalcite-like catalyst.