Core-shell silica@Cu x ZnAl LDH catalysts for efficient CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol.

The efficient production of methanol by reduction of CO 2 using green hydrogen is a promising strategy from both a green chemistry and a carbon net zero perspective. Herein, we report the synthesis of well-dispersed core-shell catalyst precursors using silica@Cu x ZnAl-LDHs that can convert CO 2 to methanol. The catalyst precursors can be formed using either a commercially available silica (ES757) or a mesoporous silica ( e.g. MCM-48). These hybrid materials show significantly enhanced catalytic performance compared to the equivalent unsupported Cu x ZnAl LDH precursor. Space-time yields of up to 0.7 g MeOH g cat -1 h -1 under mild operating conditions were observed.