Methanol
and methane are among the important products obtained
during the hydrogenation (HYD) of CO2. The distribution
of products and their yields can be influenced by operating conditions.
In this case, the type of catalyst has a dominant effect. Gradual
transformation of CO2 involves several surface intermediates.
Special geometry of active site is required for maximizing the yield
of methanol and for minimizing the reaction run-away to methane. Such
a state can be attained over catalysts that contain CuO-ZnO components.
Catalysts containing other transition metals and noble metals are
less suitable, while the same catalysts exhibit good performance during
the HYD of CO2 to methane. In industrial applications,
catalysts supported on oxidic supports, i.e., Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, etc., have been used.
During HYD of CO2, 1 and 2 mol of water are generated for
every mole of methanol and methane, respectively. The stability of
catalysts used for HYD of CO2 can be enhanced by replacing
oxidic supports with carbon supports. Amorphous carbons, such as activated
carbon, and carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon
nanofibers, and graphene-derived solids, have been tested both as
catalysts and supports. For methanol synthesis, CuO-ZnO catalysts
supported on these carbons have been evaluated. Similar carbon supports
have been used for the preparation and testing of methanation catalysts
consisting of a wide range of transition and noble metals as active
metals. Both monometallic and bimetallic catalysts were evaluated.