Gallium Cluster-Promoted In2O3 Catalyst for CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol

In this work, highly dispersed gallium clusters are constructed on In2O3 (denoted as Ga/In2O3) to promote hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol. Compared to pristine In2O3, the Ga/In2O3 catalysts show markedly improved CO2 conversion and methanol space-time yield (STY), as well as enhanced stability over 60 h on stream. A strong electronic interaction between the loaded gallium and In2O3 support, as confirmed by multiple techniques, results in well-dispersed, stable gallium clusters on In2O3, which is beneficial to long-term performance. The interface between gallium clusters and the defective In2O3 support serves as active sites to facilitate the activation of H-2 and CO2. This interfacial synergy not only enhances the adsorption and dissociation of H-2 but also effectively inhibits the strong adsorption of CO2 as carbonate. The activated CO2 at the interface sites can be dissociated readily into adsorbed CO for further hydrogenation into methanol.