Effect of modifiers on the performance of Cu-ZnO-based catalysts for low-temperature methanol synthesis

A series of Cu-ZnO-based catalysts modified with Al, Zr, and Ce for the low-temperature methanol synthesis were prepared through co-precipitation and characterized by N2 sorption, H2-TPR, CO2-TPD, N2O titration, XRD, and high-resolution TEM; the effect of various modifiers and calcination temperature on their catalytic performance in methanol synthesis at 170°C was investigated. The results showed that the Cu-ZnO-based catalyst modified with ZrO2, among the various modifiers, exhibits the highest activity. Meanwhile, a lower calcination temperature is propitious to get a higher Cu dispersion, a smaller Cu crystal size, and a higher low temperature activity for methanol synthesis; as a result, the uncalcined catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic performance, with a productivity of 106.02 g/(kg·h) and a selectivity of 87.04% to methanol.