Synthesis of a Cu-infiltrated Zr-doped SBA-15 catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation into methanol and dimethyl etherElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7cp03037a

• Main Authors: Atakan, A, Mäkie, P, Söderlind, F, Keraudy, J, Björk, E. M, Odén, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 26.07.2017
• DOI: 10.1039/c7cp03037a
• ISSN: 1463-9076

A catalytically active nanoassembly comprising Cu-nanoparticles grown on integrated and active supports (large pore Zr-doped mesoporous SBA-15 silica) has been synthesized and used to promote CO 2 hydrogenation. The doped mesoporous material was synthesized using a sol-gel method, in which the pore size was tuned between 11 and 15 nm while maintaining a specific surface area of about 700 m 2 g −1 . The subsequent Cu nanoparticle growth was achieved by an infiltration process involving attachment of different functional groups on the external and internal surfaces of the mesoporous structure such that 7-10 nm sized Cu nanoparticles grew preferentially inside the pores. Chemisorption showed improved absorption of both CO 2 and H 2 for the assembly compared to pure SBA-15 and 15% of the total CO 2 was converted to methanol and dimethyl ether at 250 °C and 33 bar. A catalytically active nanoassembly comprising Cu-nanoparticles grown on integrated and active supports (large pore Zr-doped mesoporous SBA-15 silica) has been synthesized and used to promote CO 2 hydrogenation.