Synthesis of methanol using copper–f block element bimetallic oxides as catalysts and greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4) as feedstock

• Copper–f block element bimetallic oxide catalysts for the production of methanol.
• Use of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4) as feedstock.
• Best results obtained over Cu-Ce bimetallic oxide.
• Up to 9 times higher intrinsic activity in comparison with the numbers reported in the literature.

The study of methanol production using copper–f block element bimetallic oxides as catalysts was undertaken. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen were used as reagents, but the addition of methane to this mixture was also studied. Catalysts were obtained by two methods: (i) Controlled oxidation of binary copper–f block element intermetallic compounds (IC) to obtain IC bimetallic oxides and (ii) impregnation followed by controlled oxidation to obtain copper–f block element oxide catalysts supported on alumina. Both types of catalysts proved to be more active for the production of methanol than a commercial Cu based catalysts (Alfa Aesar, 45776-0500). The selectivity is also very high (>90%), but the incorporation of CH4 to the feedstock has a negative effect on the catalyst behavior. The best result was that obtained with copper-cerium IC bimetallic oxide, its intrinsic activity (≈900 mLCH3OH/m2Cu·h) is 2–9 times higher in comparison with the numbers reported in the literature. To our knowledge, copper–f block element bimetallic oxides were never tested for the synthesis of methanol and the results herein reported are new and among the best reported until now.

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