Low
Pressure CO<sub>2</sub> Hydrogenation to Methanol
over Gold Nanoparticles Activated on a CeO<sub><i>x</i></sub>/TiO<sub>2</sub> Interface
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Abstract
Capture
and recycling of CO<sub>2</sub> into valuable chemicals
such as alcohols could help mitigate its emissions into the atmosphere.
Due to its inert nature, the activation of CO<sub>2</sub> is a critical
step in improving the overall reaction kinetics during its chemical
conversion. Although pure gold is an inert noble metal and cannot
catalyze hydrogenation reactions, it can be activated when deposited
as nanoparticles on the appropriate oxide support. In this combined
experimental and theoretical study, it is shown that an electronic
polarization at the metal–oxide interface of Au nanoparticles
anchored and stabilized on a CeO<sub><i>x</i></sub>/TiO<sub>2</sub> substrate generates active centers for CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption
and its low pressure hydrogenation, leading to a higher selectivity
toward methanol. This study illustrates the importance of localized
electronic properties and structure in catalysis for achieving higher
alcohol selectivity from CO<sub>2</sub> hydrogenation