Detection of hydrogen-copper clustering in Zn1−xCuxO compounds using neutron scattering methods

The atomic and cluster structure of hydrogen-treated Cu/ZnO (the major component of methanol synthesis catalysts) was studied using Bragg powder and small-angle neutron diffraction. Isotopic substitution of Cu and H was used to obtain reliable results indicating Cu and H clustering. The clusters form on the boundaries of ZnO particles and have a complex structure: a copper cluster surrounded by an adsorbed hydrogen shell has a hydrogen core. It can be assumed that this cluster configuration has a strong effect on the catalytic activity of these compounds.