Discovery of a highly active molybdenum phosphide catalyst for methanol synthesis from CO and CO2

Authors: 
Melis S. Duyar, Charlie Tsai, Jonathan L. Snider, Joseph Singh, Alessandro Gallo, Jong Suk Yoo, Andrew J. Medford, Frank Abild-Pedersen, Felix Studt, Jakob Kibsgaard, Stacey Bent, Jens K. Nørskov, Thomas F. Jaramillo
Year of publication: 
2018
Journal: 
Angewandte Chemie

Methanol is a major fuel and chemical feedstock currently produced from syngas, a CO/CO2/H2 mixture. Here we identify formate binding strength as a key parameter limiting the activity and stability of known catalysts for methanol synthesis in the presence of CO2. We present a molybdenum phosphide catalyst for CO and CO2 reduction to methanol, which through a weaker interaction with formate, can improve the activity and stability of methanol synthesis catalysts in a wide range of CO/CO2/H2 feeds.

Funding sources: