Elucidating the structure-activity relationship of the bimetallic Ni-Cu catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation

• Published in: Journal of CO2 utilization Vol. 80; p. 102683
• Main Authors: Feng, Yifei, Shen, Liang, Zhang, Wenhao, Yuan, Xiaohan, Zhu, Minghui, Xu, Jing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: CO2 hydrogenation; Cu-Ni catalysts; In situ characterization; Cu-Ni catalysts; In situ characterization; CO2 hydrogenation
• ISSN: 2212-9820; 2212-9839
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2024.102683

The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into high-value products plays a critical role in mitigating atmospheric CO2 levels. Recently, low-cost Ni-based catalysts have been garnering attention due to their exceptional hydrogenation ability. This study focuses on the synthesis of Cu-Ni bimetallic catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation and the systematic evaluation of the relationship between structural evolution and catalytic activity. Through investigation of the selectivity regulation of Cu on Ni-based catalysts, it was discovered that the addition of Cu led to a significant shift in catalytic activity and selectivity. Specifically, the Cu addition transitioned the reaction from being CH4-selective to CO-selective. Moreover, the introduction of Cu preferentially generated a Cu-Ni alloy during the reaction, which resulted in a significant number of *CO species with strong adsorption strength at the interface. Consequently, the subsequent hydrogenation of these *CO species was impeded, rendering the catalyst CO-selective. [Display omitted] •Cu integration curtails methanation, facilitating CH4-to-CO selectivity shift.•Cu-Ni alloy arises on Ni-Cu catalysts, yielding abundant tenacious *CO adsorption.•*CO species on Ni-Cu alloy resist further hydrogenation, rendering CO-selectivity.