Low pressure CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol over gold nanoparticles activated on a CeOx/TiO₂ interface

Capture and recycling of CO2 into valuable chemicals such as alcohols could help mitigate its emissions into the atmosphere. Due to its inert nature, the activation of CO2 is a critical step in improving the overall reaction kinetics during its chemical conversion. Although pure gold is an inert noble metal and cannot catalyze hydrogenation reactions, it can be activated when deposited as nanoparticles on the appropriate oxide support. In this combined experimental and theoretical study, it is shown that an electronic polarization at the metal-oxide interface of Au nanoparticles anchored and stabilized on a CeOx/TiO2 substrate generates active centers for CO2 adsorption and its low pressure hydrogenation, leading to a higher selectivity towards methanol. As a result, this study illustrates the importance of localized electronic properties and structure in catalysis for achieving higher alcohol selectivity from CO2 hydrogenation.