A study on methanol synthesis through CO₂ hydrogenation over copper-based catalysts

In CO₂ hydrogenation over Cu/ZrO₂ based catalysts, the methanol formation activity could be correlated with copper dispersion. The reaction intermediates of methanol synthesis were carbonate, formate, formaldehyde and/or methoxy, and the rate determining step for methanol synthesis seems to be the conversion of formate into formaldehyde or methoxy.