Electronic modulation of InNi3C0.5/Fe3O4 by support precursor toward efficient CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Carbon neutrality is spurring worldwide impetus on the exploration of CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol, but groundbreaking catalyst presents a grand challenge. An outstanding InNi 3 C 0.5 /Fe 3 O 4 catalyst is tailored by finely tuning the electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) that is controlled by Fe 3 O 4 precursor. The one using Fe 3 O 4 - N (from ferric nitrate) stands out against the ones using Fe 3 O 4 - A (ferrous acetate) and Fe 3 O 4 - C (ferric chloride), achieving a turnover frequency (421.6 h −1 ) 2.3–3.1 times as high as that of the two others. There is a correlation between the oxygen deficiency of Fe 3 O 4 and the EMSI-governed activity. The EMSI effect is enhanced substantially by the highly oxygen-deficient Fe 3 O 4 - N . Enhanced EMSI makes InNi 3 C 0.5 electron-enriched and thus enables CO 2 to be dissociated easily. The InNi 3 C 0.5 /Fe 3 O 4 - N achieves a high methanol space time yield of 2.60 g MeOH g cat −1 h −1 with 92.0% methanol selectivity at 325 °C and 6.0 MPa. This catalyst is also highly anti-sintering and anti-sulfur poisoning. • Active, selective and stable InNi 3 C 0.5 /Fe 3 O 4 is developed for the CO 2 -to-methanol. • The catalyst activity is linked with electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI). • The EMSI is governed by Fe 3 O 4 precursor dependent oxygen vacancy. • Enhanced EMSI makes InNi 3 C 0.5 electron-enriched and thus favors CO 2 activation. • A high STY of 2.60 g MeOH g cat −1 h −1 is obtainable with 92.0% methanol selectivity.