An in situ infrared study of dimethyl carbonate synthesis from carbon dioxide and methanol over well-shaped CeO 2

The mechanism of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) formation from CO2 and methanol is investigated using three well-shaped CeO2 catalysts, nanorod, nanocube and octahedron, which are packed with different crystal planes. In situ Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is employed to probe each reaction step in the DMC synthesis. The number of OH groups and the species of CO2 adsorptions on ceria surface have significant influence on the activity of ceria with different morphologies. Rod-ceria has favorable catalytic activity because of the large amount of OH groups and the formation of bidentate carbonate species.