In2O3 catalyst structural evolution during the induction period of CO2 hydrogenation

As one of the most important industrially viable methods for carbon dioxide (CO2) utilization, methanol synthesis serves as a platform for the production of green fuels and commodity chemicals. For sustainable methanol synthesis, In₂O₃ is an ideal catalyst and has garnered significant attention. Recently, a research team led by Prof. Peng Gao and Prof. Shenggang Li (Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences) conducted an integrated experimental and computational investigation into the structural evolution of the In₂O₃ catalyst during the induction period of CO₂ hydrogenation. The results were published in Chinese Journal of Catalysis (Chin. J. Catal., 2025, 72, 301-303. DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(25)64657-2).

Cubic In2O3 nanoparticles were prepared via the precipitation method and evaluated for CO2 hydrogenation to produce methanol. During the initial 10 hours of reaction, CO2 conversion gradually increased, accompanied by a slow decrease of methanol selectivity, and the reaction reached equilibrium after 10-20 hours on stream. This activation and induction stage was attributed to the sintering of In2O3 nanoparticles and the creation of more oxygen vacancies on In2O3 surfaces. Further experimental studies demonstrate that hydrogen induction created additional oxygen vacancies during the catalyst activation stage, enhancing the performance of In2O3 catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation. DFT calculations and microkinetic simulations further demonstrated that surfaces with higher oxygen vacancy coverages or hydroxylated surfaces formed during this induction period had enhanced reaction rate, resulting in higher CO2 conversion. However, they predominantly promote the formation of CO instead of methanol, leading to reduced methanol selectivity. These predictions align well with the above-mentioned experimental observations.

This work provides an in-depth analysis of the induction stage of the CO2 hydrogenation process on In2O3 nano-catalyst, and offers valuable insights for further improving the CO2 reactivity of In2O3-based catalysts while maintaining high methanol selectivity and long-term stability.

About the journal

Chinese Journal of Catalysis is co-sponsored by Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Chemical Society, and it is currently published by Elsevier group. This monthly journal publishes in English timely contributions of original and rigorously reviewed manuscripts covering all areas of catalysis. The journal publishes Reviews, Accounts, Communications, Articles, Highlights, Perspectives, and Viewpoints of highly scientific values that help understanding and defining of new concepts in both fundamental issues and practical applications of catalysis. Chinese Journal of Catalysis ranks among the top six journals in Applied Chemistry with a current SCI impact factor of 15.7.

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