Biofuel Research Journal

Biofuel Research Journal

Biochar-supported highly dispersed ultrasmall Cu/ZnO nanoparticles as a highly efficient novel catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Seyed Alireza Vali
Javier Moral-Vico
Antoni Sánchez
Composting Research Group (GICOM), Department of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193-Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.
10.18331/BRJ2025.12.2.3
Abstract
Methanol synthesis via CO2 hydrogenation is a key pathway for producing methanol. Considerable research has focused on enhancing Cu/ZnO-based catalysts for this process. In this study, biochar, a porous material derived from renewable waste, was employed to support the immobilization of Cu/ZnO nanoparticles for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. The catalyst developed in this work exhibited exceptional performance, with a methanol space-time yield (STY) of 496.5 mgMeOH gCu-1 h-1, selectivity of 71%, and stability (maintaining catalytic activity for over 45 h). These metrics significantly outperformed those of the Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst (STY of 98.6 mgMeOH gCu-1 h-1, selectivity of 54%, with catalytic activity loss after 25 h) under identical reaction conditions (260 °C, 1 MPa). Structural characterizations revealed that the enhanced catalytic activity and improved stability of the biochar-supported Cu/ZnO nanoparticles, relative to Cu/ZnO/Al2O3, were attributed to the enrichment of Cu-Zn interfacial sites. This was facilitated by the highly efficient dispersion and formation of ultrasmall Cu/ZnO nanoparticles on the biochar surface, along with biochar’s role in enhancing H2 and CO2 adsorption and activation.

Graphical Abstract

Biochar-supported highly dispersed ultrasmall Cu/ZnO nanoparticles as a highly efficient novel catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Highlights

  • An efficient biochar-based methanol synthesis catalyst was prepared and optimized.
  • Optimum loading of Cu/ZnO nanoparticles was determined to be 25 wt.%.
  • Cu:Zn molar ratio was also optimized to be 2:1.
  • Remarkably high STY of 496.5 mgMeOH gCu-1 h-1 and selectivity of 71% was obtained.
  • Ultrasmall Cu/ZnO nanoparticles ranging in size around 5 nm were obtained.

Keywords
CO2 hydrogenation
Biochar
Ultrasmall Cu/ZnO nanoparticles
Methanol synthesis
Heterogenous catalysis
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Biofuel Research Journal
Volume 12, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
Spring 2025
Pages 2398-2411