Methods of Catalysis for Enhanced Methanol Production from Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Highlights

• Composite materials for catalysis of CO2 hydrogenation.
• Composite materials comprised of phenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and one or more metals.

Opportunity

The conventional industrial process for the production of methanol employs syngas (CO + H2) hydrogenation catalyzed by Cu/ZnO/Al2O3. However, when the same catalytic system is employed with CO2, water forms as a byproduct reduces the activity, stability, and selectivity of the process. University of Alberta researchers developed a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) based catalysis for direct CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. Mild calcination of copper−zinc-impregnated POSS material affords the formation of catalyst-POSS nanoparticles able to reach a 3.8% yield of methanol with selectivity as high as 87.5% in a batch reactor. The catalytic system metal-POSS is stable and recyclable under H2 reduction and CO2/H2 conditions. The increased number of aromatics in the structure of POSS results in an increased hydrophobic character that plays a decisive role in the methanol formation. For comparison, catalysts supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) showed 0% selectivity to methanol under the study conditions. Anticipated further advancements include a substantial increase in methanol yield when transitioning to a continuous flow reactor setup. The developed composite materials have high thermal stability in both inert and oxidative atmospheres. The supports show promise

Competitive advantage

• Increase selectivity to methanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation.
• Thermal stability of catalyst supported on phenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes.
• Potential application of hydrophobic POSS materials with other metals such as Fe, Co, and Ni for different industrial reactions that are hindered by water.

Status

• Patent pending.