Catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide on Ni-Cu alloys

Catalytic reduction of CO2 with H-2 was studied on Ni/SiO2, Ni1-xCux/SiO2 (x=0.05-0.9) and Cu/SiO2 in a closed circulating reaction system in order to obtain a highly active and selective catalyst for CO formation. The yield of CO from CO2+H-2 on Cu/SiO2 was about 60% and its selectivity was 97% or more. In a Cu-rich region, Ni-Cu catalysts exhibited high selectivity for CO formation, while CH4 was produced predominantly in a Ni-rich region. The activity of Ni0.1Cu0.9/SiO2 for the selective reduction of CO2 to CO was enhanced by twice that of Cu alone by the addition of small amounts of Ni. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.