Gas-Dependent Active Sites on Cu/ZnO Clusters for CH<sub>3</sub>OH Synthesis
Weifeng Tu, Pengchao Ren, Yuanjie Li, Yongpeng Yang, Yun Tian, Zhenzhou Zhang, Minghui Zhu, Ya-Huei Cathy Chin, Jinlong Gong, Yi‐Fan Han
Abstract
This study describes an instantaneously gas-induced dynamic transition of an industrial Cu/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 catalyst. Cu/ZnO clusters become “alive” and lead to a promotion in reaction rate by almost one magnitude, in response to the variation of the reactant components. The promotional changes are functions of either CO 2 -to-CO or H 2 O-to-H 2 ratio which determines the oxygen chemical potential thus drives Cu/ZnO clusters to undergo reconstruction and allows the maximum formation of Cu–Zn 2+ sites for CH 3 OH synthesis.
Topics & Concepts
ChemistryStereochemistryCatalytic Processes in Materials ScienceCatalysts for Methane ReformingCatalysis and Oxidation Reactions