A Highly Active Molybdenum Phosphide Catalyst for Methanol Synthesis from CO and CO₂

Abstract

Methanol is a major fuel and chemical feedstock currently produced from syngas, a CO/CO₂ /H₂ mixture. Herein we identify formate binding strength as a key parameter limiting the activity and stability of known catalysts for methanol synthesis in the presence of CO₂ . We present a molybdenum phosphide catalyst for CO and CO₂ reduction to methanol, which through a weaker interaction with formate, can improve the activity and stability of methanol synthesis catalysts in a wide range of CO/CO₂ /H₂ feeds.