CO2 Hydrogenation over Ru-NPs Supported Amine-Functionalized SBA-15 Catalyst: Structure-Reactivity Relationship Study

We gave an effective protocol to support Ru NPs on amine-functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica to catalyze the CO2 hydrogenation reaction. The amine groups present in the catalytic system performed an essential role in stabilizing the Ru NPs, delivering the robust metal-support interaction and improved catalytic activities to material in formic acid synthesis. We also demonstrated a comprehensive study of different amine groups on the catalytic performance of ultrafine uniformly dispersed Ru NPs over mesoporous SBA-15 support. The effect of various compositional and steric properties of amine groups on the size/distribution of the Ru NPs were closely studied and correlated with their catalytic performance in the CO2 hydrogenation reaction. The in situ DRIFTS analysis of CO2 hydrogenation into formic acid in presence of developed CATALYST-1 showed active surface species bonded to support sites and to Ru NPs. This interaction proposed the formation of important intermediates such as hydrides, formates and bicarbonates, which are significant for the formation of formic acid. We successfully recycled the catalysts up to 5 runs with good catalytic activity.

Automated summary

The research shows that amine groups play a crucial role in stabilizing Ru NPs and enhancing their catalytic activity, with the composition and steric properties of the amines affecting the size and distribution of Ru NPs. Analysis of important intermediates formed during CO2 hydrogenation can improve the efficiency of formic acid synthesis.