Metal-oxide synergy

TLDR: Model catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide found that ZnCu became as active as ZnO/Cu only after surface oxidation formed Zn o, suggesting a formate intermediate pathway at a ZNO-Cu interface active site.

Abstract: Catalysis The hydrogenation of carbon dioxide is a key step in the industrial production of methanol. Catalysts made from copper (Cu) and zinc oxide (ZnO) on alumina supports are often used. However, the actual active sites for this reaction—Zn-Cu bimetallic sites or ZnO-Cu interfacial sites—are debated. Kattel et al. studied model catalysts and found that ZnCu became as active as ZnO/Cu only after surface oxidation formed ZnO. Theoretical studies favor a formate intermediate pathway at a ZnO-Cu interface active site. Science , this issue p. [1296][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aal3573