Synthesis, characterization and activity of CeO₂ supported Cu-Mg bimetallic catalysts for CO₂ to methanol

Cerium oxide was synthesized by thermal method using cerium carbonate hydrate and utilized as a catalysts support. Precipitation method was employed to deposit copper and magnesium oxides on the surface of cerium oxide. The synthesized Cu-Mg/CeO₂ catalysts were characterized by different analytical techniques. FTIR studies confirmed the incorporation of copper and magnesium oxides on cerium oxide surface. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) revealed uniform distribution of both metal oxides on cerium oxide support. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption studies recorded surface profile of CeO₂ loaded Cu-Mg bimetallic catalysts. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed existence of Cu and Mg metals in the form of Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺ on CeO₂ surface. Furthermore, the role of Ce was apprehended by XPS investigations in terms of methanol synthesis rate. Activities studied of the synthesized catalysts revealed the promoting role of Cu-Mg composition with highest activity of 71 g._meth/kg._cat.h was recorded for 4Cu-6Mg/CeO₂ catalysts. The efficiency of CeO₂ based Cu-Mg bimetallic catalysts was established by the comparative data from the literature in terms of methanol synthesis rate.