Effect of Gold Nanoparticles Addition to CuO–ZnO/Al2O3 Catalyst in Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol

Hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into methanol (CH₃OH) was carried out in the CuO–ZnO based supported gold catalyst prepared by the co-precipitation method. When gold nanoparticles were added to the CuO–ZnO/Al2O₃ catalysts (CuO–ZnO/Au/Al₂O₃), the CO₂ conversion and CH₃OH yield were increased (two times higher than that of CuO–ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst) with increasing reaction pressure, but selectivity of CH3OH was decreased. The main reason of this result could suggest the importance gold-oxides interface in CH₃OH formation through hydrogenation of CO₂. Maximum selectivity and yield to CH₃OH over CuO–ZnO/Au/Al₂O₃ were obtained at 250°C and under 15–20 bars.