Effect of starting salt on catalytic behaviour of Cu-ZrO2 catalysts in methanol synthesis from carbon dioxide

Starting salts used in the co-precipitation of Cu-ZrO₂ precursors had marked influence on both activity and selectivity of resulting catalysts for methanol synthesis: chlorides increased the selectivity, suggesting the structure sensitivity of methanol formation reaction, while sulfates much enhanced the activity by affecting the dispersion of Zr species. A simultaneous use of copper chloride and zirconium sulfate greatly improved the activity and selectivity of the catalyst for methanol formation.