1
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Jensen S, Mammen MHR, Hedevang M, Li Z, Lammich L, Lauritsen JV. Visualizing the gas-sensitive structure of the CuZn surface in methanol synthesis catalysis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3865. [PMID: 38719827 PMCID: PMC11079032 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48168-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Methanol formation over Cu/ZnO catalysts is linked with a catalytically active phase created by contact between Cu nanoparticles and Zn species whose chemical and structural state depends on reaction conditions. Herein, we use variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy at elevated pressure conditions combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements to investigate the surface structures and chemical states that evolve when a CuZn/Cu(111) surface alloy is exposed to reaction gas mixtures. In CO2 hydrogenation conditions, Zn stays embedded in the CuZn surface, but once CO gas is added to the mixture, the Zn segregates onto the Cu surface. The Zn segregation is CO-induced, and establishes a new dynamic state of the catalyst surface where Zn is continually exchanged at the Cu surface. Candidates for the migrating few-atom Zn clusters are further identified in time-resolved imaging series. The findings point to a significant role of CO affecting the distribution of Zn in the multiphasic ZnO/CuZn/Cu catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigmund Jensen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Mathias H R Mammen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Martin Hedevang
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Zheshen Li
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Lutz Lammich
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jeppe V Lauritsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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2
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Beck A, Newton MA, van de Water LGA, van Bokhoven JA. The Enigma of Methanol Synthesis by Cu/ZnO/Al 2O 3-Based Catalysts. Chem Rev 2024; 124:4543-4678. [PMID: 38564235 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The activity and durability of the Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 (CZA) catalyst formulation for methanol synthesis from CO/CO2/H2 feeds far exceed the sum of its individual components. As such, this ternary catalytic system is a prime example of synergy in catalysis, one that has been employed for the large scale commercial production of methanol since its inception in the mid 1960s with precious little alteration to its original formulation. Methanol is a key building block of the chemical industry. It is also an attractive energy storage molecule, which can also be produced from CO2 and H2 alone, making efficient use of sequestered CO2. As such, this somewhat unusual catalyst formulation has an enormous role to play in the modern chemical industry and the world of global economics, to which the correspondingly voluminous and ongoing research, which began in the 1920s, attests. Yet, despite this commercial success, and while research aimed at understanding how this formulation functions has continued throughout the decades, a comprehensive and universally agreed upon understanding of how this material achieves what it does has yet to be realized. After nigh on a century of research into CZA catalysts, the purpose of this Review is to appraise what has been achieved to date, and to show how, and how far, the field has evolved. To do so, this Review evaluates the research regarding this catalyst formulation in a chronological order and critically assesses the validity and novelty of various hypotheses and claims that have been made over the years. Ultimately, the Review attempts to derive a holistic summary of what the current body of literature tells us about the fundamental sources of the synergies at work within the CZA catalyst and, from this, suggest ways in which the field may yet be further advanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arik Beck
- Institute for Chemistry and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry (ITCP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Mark A Newton
- Institute for Chemistry and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 182 23 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jeroen A van Bokhoven
- Institute for Chemistry and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- Laboratory for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
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3
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Mauksch M. Spontaneous emergence of enantioenriched chiral aldol reaction products from Achiral precursors in solution and origin of biological homochirality of sugars: a first-principles study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:1734-1754. [PMID: 36594779 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp04285a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Experimental reports about observation of spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking and chiral amplification in stereoselective Mannich and aldol reactions, run under fully achiral initial conditions, have drawn a lot of attention, fuelled partly by the role these reactions could have played in chemical evolution as a cause for still puzzling observed homochirality of biomolecules, often considered a prerequisite for the origin of life. We have now revisited this still unresolved problem, using DFT computation of all combinatorially possible transition states and numerical solution of complete set of resulting coupled kinetic rate equations to model the aldol reaction rigorously "from the first principles" and without making any a priori assumptions. Spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking in this autocatalytic, reversible, closed and homogenous system is explained by a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation, occurring in concentrations of enantiomers due to time-delayed kinetic instability of racemic composition of reaction mixture, when reactants are initially provided in non-stoichiometric quantities. Same process, taking place under similar conditions in primordial "soup" of chemicals, might conceivably explain origin of biological homochirality of sugar molecules on early earth billions of years ago. Our results suggest that seemingly innocuous chemical reactions could exhibit unexpected and counter-intuitive emergent behaviour, when initial conditions are appropriately chosen. Chiral amplification in self-catalyzed aldol reaction occurs during approach of thermodynamic equilibrium in accord with principle of microscopic reversibility and second law of thermodynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Mauksch
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Computer Chemistry Center, Nägelsbachstrasse 25a, 91052 Erlangen, Germany.
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4
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Müller A, Comas-Vives A, Copéret C. Ga and Zn increase the oxygen affinity of Cu-based catalysts for the CO x hydrogenation according to ab initio atomistic thermodynamics. Chem Sci 2022; 13:13442-13458. [PMID: 36507169 PMCID: PMC9685501 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc03107h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The direct hydrogenation of CO or CO2 to methanol, a highly vivid research area in the context of sustainable development, is typically carried out with Cu-based catalysts. Specific elements (so-called promoters) improve the catalytic performance of these systems under a broad range of reaction conditions (from pure CO to pure CO2). Some of these promoters, such as Ga and Zn, can alloy with Cu and their role remains a matter of debate. In that context, we used periodic DFT calculations on slab models and ab initio thermodynamics to evaluate both metal alloying and surface formation by considering multiple surface facets, different promoter concentrations and spatial distributions as well as adsorption of several species (O*, H*, CO* and ) for different gas phase compositions. Both Ga and Zn form an fcc-alloy with Cu due to the stronger interaction of the promoters with Cu than with themselves. While the Cu-Ga-alloy is more stable than the Cu-Zn-alloy at low promoter concentrations (<25%), further increasing the promoter concentration reverses this trend, due to the unfavoured Ga-Ga-interactions. Under CO2 hydrogenation conditions, a substantial amount of O* can adsorb onto the alloy surfaces, resulting in partial dealloying and oxidation of the promoters. Therefore, the CO2 hydrogenation conditions are actually rather oxidising for both Ga and Zn despite the large amount of H2 present in the feedstock. Thus, the growth of a GaO x /ZnO x overlayer is thermodynamically preferred under reaction conditions, enhancing CO2 adsorption, and this effect is more pronounced for the Cu-Ga-system than for the Cu-Zn-system. In contrast, under CO hydrogenation conditions, fully reduced and alloyed surfaces partially covered with H* and CO* are expected, with mixed CO/CO2 hydrogenation conditions resulting in a mixture of reduced and oxidised states. This shows that the active atmosphere tunes the preferred state of the catalyst, influencing the catalytic activity and stability, indicating that the still widespread image of a static catalyst under reaction conditions is insufficient to understand the complex interplay of processes taking place on a catalyst surface under reaction conditions, and that dynamic effects must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Müller
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich8093 ZurichSwitzerland+41 44 633 93 94
| | - Aleix Comas-Vives
- Institute of Materials Chemistry, TU Wien1060 ViennaAustria,Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona08193 Cerdanyola del VallèsCataloniaSpain
| | - Christophe Copéret
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich8093 ZurichSwitzerland+41 44 633 93 94
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5
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Xu Y, Gao Z, Peng L, Liu K, Yang Y, Qiu R, Yang S, Wu C, Jiang J, Wang Y, Tan W, Wang H, Li J. A highly efficient Cu/ZnOx/ZrO2 catalyst for selective CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. J Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2022.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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6
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Liu YL, Zhao Y, Zhang J, Ye Y, Sun Q. Cu2-cluster-based MOF with open metal sites and Lewis basic sites: Construction, CO2 adsorption and fixation. J SOLID STATE CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2022.123332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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7
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Behrendt G, Mockenhaupt B, Prinz N, Zobel M, Ras EJ, Behrens M. CO Hydrogenation to Methanol over Cu/MgO Catalysts and Their Synthesis from Amorphous Magnesian Georgeite Precursors. ChemCatChem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202200299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gereon Behrendt
- Universität Duisburg-Essen: Universitat Duisburg-Essen Inorganic Chemistry GERMANY
| | - Benjamin Mockenhaupt
- University of Duisburg-Essen: Universitat Duisburg-Essen Inorganic Chemistry GERMANY
| | - Nils Prinz
- RWTH: Rheinisch-Westfalische Technische Hochschule Aachen Institut für Kristallographie GERMANY
| | - Mirijam Zobel
- RWTH: Rheinisch-Westfalische Technische Hochschule Aachen Institut für Kristallographie GERMANY
| | - Erik-Jan Ras
- Avantium Technologies B.V. Avantium Technologies B.V. NETHERLANDS
| | - Malte Behrens
- Kiel University Institute of Inorganic Chemistry Max-Eyth-Str. 2 24118 Kiel GERMANY
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8
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Amann P, Klötzer B, Degerman D, Köpfle N, Götsch T, Lömker P, Rameshan C, Ploner K, Bikaljevic D, Wang HY, Soldemo M, Shipilin M, Goodwin CM, Gladh J, Halldin Stenlid J, Börner M, Schlueter C, Nilsson A. The state of zinc in methanol synthesis over a Zn/ZnO/Cu(211) model catalyst. Science 2022; 376:603-608. [PMID: 35511988 DOI: 10.1126/science.abj7747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The active chemical state of zinc (Zn) in a zinc-copper (Zn-Cu) catalyst during carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide (CO2/CO) hydrogenation has been debated to be Zn oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, metallic Zn, or a Zn-Cu surface alloy. We used x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at 180 to 500 millibar to probe the nature of Zn and reaction intermediates during CO2/CO hydrogenation over Zn/ZnO/Cu(211), where the temperature is sufficiently high for the reaction to rapidly turn over, thus creating an almost adsorbate-free surface. Tuning of the grazing incidence angle makes it possible to achieve either surface or bulk sensitivity. Hydrogenation of CO2 gives preference to ZnO in the form of clusters or nanoparticles, whereas in pure CO a surface Zn-Cu alloy becomes more prominent. The results reveal a specific role of CO in the formation of the Zn-Cu surface alloy as an active phase that facilitates efficient CO2 methanol synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Amann
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bernhard Klötzer
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Degerman
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Norbert Köpfle
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Götsch
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Fritz Haber Institute of the Max-Planck Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrick Lömker
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden.,Photon Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Rameshan
- Institute of Materials Chemistry, Technische Universität Wien, Getreidemarkt 9/BC/01, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kevin Ploner
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Djuro Bikaljevic
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hsin-Yi Wang
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Markus Soldemo
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikhail Shipilin
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christopher M Goodwin
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jörgen Gladh
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joakim Halldin Stenlid
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mia Börner
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christoph Schlueter
- Photon Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anders Nilsson
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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9
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Kinetically Relevant Variation Triggered by Hydrogen Pressure: A Mechanistic Case Study of CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol over Cu/ZnO. J Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2021.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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10
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Portillo A, Ateka A, Ereña J, Aguayo AT, Bilbao J. Conditions for the Joint Conversion of CO 2 and Syngas in the Direct Synthesis of Light Olefins Using In 2O 3–ZrO 2/SAPO-34 Catalyst. Ind Eng Chem Res 2021; 61:10365-10376. [PMID: 35915619 PMCID: PMC9335533 DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.1c03556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The conditions for
promoting the joint conversion of CO2 and syngas in the
direct synthesis of light olefins have been studied.
In addition, given the relevance for the viability of the process,
the stability of the In2O3–ZrO2/SAPO-34 (InZr/S34) catalyst has also been pursued. The CO+CO2 (COx) hydrogenation experimental
runs were conducted in a packed bed isothermal reactor under the following
conditions: 375–425 °C; 20–40 bar; space time,
1.25–20 gcatalyst h molC–1; H2/(COx) ratio in the feed,
1–3; CO2/(COx) ratio
in the feed, 0.5; time on stream (TOS), up to 24 h. Analyzing the
reaction indices (CO2 and COx conversions, yield and selectivity of olefins and paraffins, and
stability), the following have been established as suitable conditions:
400 °C, 30 bar, 5–10 gcat h molC–1, CO2/COx = 0.5, and H2/COx = 3. Under
these conditions, the catalyst is stable (after an initial period
of deactivation by coke), and olefin yield and selectivity surpass
4 and 70%, respectively, with light paraffins as byproducts. Produced
olefin yields follow propylene > ethylene > butenes. The conditions
of the process (low pressure and low H2/COx ratio) may facilitate the integration of sustainable
H2 production with PEM electrolyzers and the covalorization
of CO2 and syngas obtained from biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ander Portillo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, Bilbao 48080, Spain
| | - Ainara Ateka
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, Bilbao 48080, Spain
| | - Javier Ereña
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, Bilbao 48080, Spain
| | - Andres T. Aguayo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, Bilbao 48080, Spain
| | - Javier Bilbao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, Bilbao 48080, Spain
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11
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Hu J, Yu L, Deng J, Wang Y, Cheng K, Ma C, Zhang Q, Wen W, Yu S, Pan Y, Yang J, Ma H, Qi F, Wang Y, Zheng Y, Chen M, Huang R, Zhang S, Zhao Z, Mao J, Meng X, Ji Q, Hou G, Han X, Bao X, Wang Y, Deng D. Sulfur vacancy-rich MoS2 as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol. Nat Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1038/s41929-021-00584-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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12
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Lacerda de Oliveira Campos B, Herrera Delgado K, Wild S, Studt F, Pitter S, Sauer J. Surface reaction kinetics of the methanol synthesis and the water gas shift reaction on Cu/ZnO/Al2O3. REACT CHEM ENG 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1re00040c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Detailed modeling of the methanol synthesis combining theoretical surface kinetics, catalyst structural changes, and a broad experimental validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lacerda de Oliveira Campos
- Institute for Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Germany
| | - Karla Herrera Delgado
- Institute for Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Germany
| | - Stefan Wild
- Institute for Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Germany
| | - Felix Studt
- Institute for Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Germany
- Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry (ITCP)
| | - Stephan Pitter
- Institute for Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Germany
| | - Jörg Sauer
- Institute for Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
- Germany
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13
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Nielsen ND, Jensen AD, Christensen JM. The roles of CO and CO2 in high pressure methanol synthesis over Cu-based catalysts. J Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2020.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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