Synthesis, characterization and activity of CeO2 supported Cu-Mg bimetallic catalysts for CO2 to methanol

Cerium oxide was synthesized by thermal method using cerium carbonate hydrate and utilized as a catalysts support. Precipitation method was employed to deposit copper and magnesium oxides on the surface of cerium oxide. The synthesized Cu-Mg/CeO2 catalysts were characterized by different analytical techniques. FTIR studies confirmed the in -corporation of copper and magnesium oxides on cerium oxide surface. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) revealed uniform distribution of both metal oxides on cerium oxide support. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption studies recorded surface profile of CeO2 loaded Cu-Mg bimetallic catalysts. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed existence of Cu and Mg metals in the form of Cu2+ and Mg2+ on CeO2 surface. Furthermore, the role of Ce was apprehended by XPS investigations in terms of methanol synthesis rate. Activities studied of the synthesized catalysts revealed the promoting role of Cu-Mg composition with highest activity of 71 g.meth/kg.cat.h was recorded for 4Cu-6Mg/ CeO2 catalysts. The efficiency of CeO2 based Cu-Mg bimetallic catalysts was established by the comparative data from the literature in terms of methanol synthesis rate.(c) 2023 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Cerium oxide was synthesized and used as a catalyst support in this study. Copper and magnesium oxides were deposited on the surface of cerium oxide using a precipitation method. The synthesized Cu-Mg/CeO2 catalysts were characterized and showed uniform distribution of metal oxides on the cerium oxide support. The catalytic activity of Cu-Mg composition was found to be the highest, with a rate of 71 g.meth/kg.cat.h for the 4Cu-6Mg/CeO2 catalysts.