Electroassisted selective and stable CO2 hydrogenation to methanol on CuZnAl catalyst beyond conventional thermal process

Effective strategy is strongly required for efficient CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol on Cu-based catalyst, considering the great significance of recycling and upgrading this greenhouse gas. Here, we report an electroassisted catalytic process for CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol on CuZnAl catalyst beyond conventional thermal process. The electric field drives the formation of Cu steps with stacking faults and disordered ZnO overlayers, generation of specific Cu-ZnO (Cu 2 O) interfaces through their strong interactions, preferential exposure of Cu 2 O (110) facet and controllable balance of Cu 0 /Cu + species in catalyst. These unique characteristics consequentially trigger the excellent redox properties of Cu species, CO 2 /CO adsorption-desorption capacities, and thermal tolerance, facilitating the formation of crucial HCOO* and CH 3 O* intermediates and durable catalytic stability. Only provided 0.5 W electric power can supremely promote the CO 2 conversion and methanol selectivity by around 22% and 28% compared with the conventional thermal catalytic process, rendering it a promising technology for CO 2 transformation.