CO(2) Hydrogenation over Nanoceria-Supported Transition Metal Catalysts: Role of Ceria Morphology (Nanorods versus Nanocubes) and Active Phase Nature (Co versus Cu)

In this work we report on the combined impact of active phase nature (M: Co or Cu) and ceria nanoparticles support morphology (nanorods (NR) or nanocubes (NC)) on the physicochemical characteristics and CO(2) hydrogenation performance of M/CeO(2) composites at atmospheric pressure. It was found that CO(2) conversion followed the order: Co/CeO(2) > Cu/CeO(2) > CeO(2), independently of the support morphology. Co/CeO(2) catalysts demonstrated the highest CO(2) conversion (92% at 450 °C), accompanied by 93% CH(4) selectivity. On the other hand, Cu/CeO(2) samples were very selective for CO production, exhibiting 52% CO(2) conversion and 95% CO selectivity at 380 °C. The results obtained in a wide range of H(2):CO(2) ratios (1–9) and temperatures (200–500 °C) are reaching in both cases the corresponding thermodynamic equilibrium conversions, revealing the superiority of Co- and Cu-based samples in methanation and reverse water-gas shift (rWGS) reactions, respectively. Moreover, samples supported on ceria nanocubes exhibited higher specific activity (µmol CO(2)·m(−2)·s(−1)) compared to samples of rod-like shape, disclosing the significant role of support morphology, besides that of metal nature (Co or Cu). Results are interpreted on the basis of different textural and redox properties of as-prepared samples in conjunction to the different impact of metal entity (Co or Cu) on CO(2) hydrogenation process.