In situ DRIFTS and DFT study of CO 2 hydrogenation over the In 2 O 3 catalyst.

The pressure dependent reaction mechanism of CO 2 hydrogenation over In 2 O 3 was investigated. CO 2 hydrogenation on In 2 O 3 can produce methanol only at high pressure, while the atmospheric pressure operation leads to the formation of CO. The conversion from HCOO* to H 3 CO* is accelerated at high pressure, leading to the formation of methanol with the formate route (CO 2 * → HCOO* → H 3 CO* → H 3 COH).