Mechanistic and Surface Studies of CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol on CuZn-Based Catalysts Supported on MoO3 and MoC

• Grant number: 25/05857-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: August 25, 2025
• End date: August 24, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Daniela Zanchet
• Grantee: Larissa Evelin Ricardo Ferreira
• Supervisor: Jesum Alves Fernandes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Nottingham, University Park, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/09379-4 - Mechanistic and surface studies of CO2 hydrogenation and steam reforming of ethanol reactions on M-CeO2/TiO2 (M: NixCuyCoz) nanostructures, BP.DR

Abstract

The project emphasizes catalyst fabrication via sputtering that will allow high dispersion while generating model catalysts for methanol production from CO2 hydrogenation. Advanced characterization techniques will be integrated with catalytic studies to investigate methanol chemistry and reaction intermediates, this approach facilitates the understanding of reaction mechanisms and the identification of active sites, with a deeper investigation into debated questions in the literature regarding the nature of the active site: the formation of a Cu-Zn surface alloy, an interfacial synergy between Cu and ZnO, and the role of the Mo oxide/carbide as support. The catalysts will be based on highly dispersed Cu or CuZn on MoO3 and MoC supports, exploring single-atom formation and metal/oxide interfaces. In addition, the study will also evaluate different Cu and Zn deposition orders and Ar treatments to introduce surface defects. Finally, we expect that this project will provide an atomic-scale understanding of the catalytic process, advancing the sustainable production of methanol from CO¿ hydrogenation and contributing to the transition toward renewable energy sources.