B05 – CO2 hydrogenation to MeOH

Using Cu Hydrides Confined in Tailored MOFs for the Low-Temperature Hydrogenation of CO₂ to Methanol in the Gas-Phase

The project develops confined molecular Cu hydride catalysts for low-temperature CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol. Building on the successful immobilization of monomeric Cu catalysts in Zr MOFs, the next phase will optimize catalyst stability and activity by tuning ligand denticity, catalyst nuclearity, and confinement environments in Lewis-acidic and defective MOFs. Advanced spectroscopy and microscopy will track structure–activity relationships, aiming for >90% single-pass methanol yields and extended catalyst lifetimes.

Research focus in the second funding period (2022-2026):  Confinement effects in gas-phase CO₂ reduction by Cu hydrides immobilized in mesoporous supports
Improving the efficiency and selectivity of gas-phase CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol by stabilizing highly reactive copper hydride species within mesoporous materials and exploiting confinement effects that enhance adsorption, control intermediate transport, and strengthen catalyst-support interactions.