Methanol Synthesis Over Cu–ZnO–Al2O3 Catalyst at Low Pressure

A series of Cu-ZnO-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by coprecipitation method. The pH of solution was adjusted from 6 to 8 by using Na2CO3 solution. The prepared catalysts were evaluated for methanol synthesis from syngas (H2, CO and CO2) at lower temperature and pressures. Catalysts have been characterized by N2 physisorption, porosity measurements, XRD, TG/DTA, TPD (CO2/NH3) and XPS. Among all the catalysts pH 7 catalyst was shown higher catalytic activity towards methanol formation. It was found that the catalyst is mainly possessed the higher number of surface active sites (Cu0/Cu+), acidic and basic nature and optimum synergism between three components (Cu-ZnO-Al2O3). The activity results were evaluated with and without CO2 in syngas and it was found that higher CO conversion and higher methanol selectivity in the presence CO2.