Preparation of CexZr1-xO2 with mixed alcohol/water solvents: As highly active catalysts for the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO2 and methanol

Abstract

The synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from carbon dioxide (CO₂) represents a promising strategy for CO₂ resource utilization, effectively mitigating atmospheric CO₂ levels. Ce_xZr_1-xO₂ has demonstrated significant catalytic efficiency in facilitating DMC production via the direct reaction of CO₂ and methanol (MeOH). However, its morphologically controllable synthesis and resolution of particle agglomeration remain a challenge. In this study, uniformly dispersed rod-like Ce_xZr_1-xO₂ structures were synthesized by modulating the reaction solvent composition. Experiments and characterization revealed that the addition of alcohol directly affected the morphology and aggregation of ions in solution and promoted the reduction of Ce⁴⁺ to Ce³⁺, These modifications enhanced the catalytic performance of the rod-shaped Ce_xZr_1-xO₂. Notably, under an alcohol-to-water ratio of 1:1 with n-butanol, the DMC yield reached 4.36 mmol/g a 10 % increase compared to systems using a single aqueous solvent. In this work, a simple, efficient and rapid modification method was used to improve catalyst performance. Compared to metal doping approaches, solvent modulation offers a cost-effective alternative for catalyst production. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing performance in other catalyst systems.