Hydrogenation of carbon dioxide over copper-pyrochlore/zeolite composite catalysts

The hydrogenation of CO₂ was studied over composite catalysts obtained by mixing Cu-based methanol synthesis catalyst and HY zeolite. A mechanism associating methanol synthesis and MTG (methanol to gasoline) reaction allowed the formation of C₁-C₄ hydrocarbons. It was found that the catalytic behaviors of the composite catalysts were favorably influenced by the characteristics of the methanol synthesis catalysts. The Cu-La₂Zr₂O₇ catalyst we recently developed associated with HY zeolite exhibited interesting performances in hydrocarbon synthesis. The addition of ZrO₂ to Cu---La₂Zr₂O₇/HY enhanced the ability to produce hydrocarbons. Comparing composite catalyst systems prepared with different Cu-based methanol synthesis catalysts, the effect of Na contamination on methanol and hydrocarbon formation over composite catalysts were also discussed.