Reaction‐Induced Metal‐Metal Oxide Interactions in Pd‐In<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/ZrO<sub>2</sub> Catalysts Drive Selective and Stable CO<sub>2</sub> Hydrogenation to Methanol
Thaylan Pinheiro Araújo, Jordi Morales‐Vidal, Georgios Giannakakis, Cecilia Mondelli, Henrik Eliasson, Rolf Erni, Joseph Stewart, Sharon Mitchell, Núria López, Javier Pérez‐Ramírez
Abstract
Abstract Ternary Pd‐In 2 O 3 /ZrO 2 catalysts exhibit technological potential for CO 2 ‐based methanol synthesis, but developing scalable systems and comprehending complex dynamic behaviors of the active phase, promoter, and carrier are key for achieving high productivity. Here, we show that the structure of Pd‐In 2 O 3 /ZrO 2 systems prepared by wet impregnation evolves under CO 2 hydrogenation conditions into a selective and stable architecture, independent of the order of addition of Pd and In phases on the zirconia carrier. Detailed operando characterization and simulations reveal a rapid restructuring driven by the metal‐metal oxide interaction energetics. The proximity of InPd x alloy particles decorated by InO x layers in the resulting architecture prevents performance losses associated with Pd sintering. The findings highlight the crucial role of reaction‐induced restructuring in complex CO 2 hydrogenation catalysts and offer insights into the optimal integration of acid‐base and redox functions for practical implementation.