Highly active copper-ceria and copper-ceria-titania catalysts for methanol synthesis from CO 2

Converting CO 2 into methanol by catalysis By hydrogenating CO 2 , scientists can transform a greenhouse gas into methanol, a desirable fuel. Graciani et al. cast copper in the role of the highly active catalyst for this reaction by putting copper particles on cerium oxide. The interface between the cerium oxide and the copper enables the reverse water-gas shift reaction that converts CO 2 into CO, which reacts more readily with hydrogen to make methanol. This result takes a step forward in innovating catalysts for this environmentally friendly process. Science , this issue p. 546