title: Formation of a ZnO overlayer in industrial Cu/ZnO/Al2 O3 catalysts induced by strong metal-support interactions.
abstract: In industrially relevant Cu/ZnO/Al2 O3 catalysts for methanol synthesis, the strong metal support interaction between Cu and ZnO is known to play a key role. Here we report a detailed chemical transmission electron microscopy study on the nanostructural consequences of the strong metal support interaction in an activated high-performance catalyst. For the first time, clear evidence for the formation of metastable "graphite-like" ZnO layers during reductive activation is provided. The description of this metastable layer might contribute to the understanding of synergistic effects between the components of the Cu/ZnO/Al2 O3 catalysts.
authors: Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin (Germany).
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Lunkenbein
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Schumann
authors: Malte
authors: M
authors: Behrens
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Schlögl
authors: Marc G
authors: MG
authors: Willinger
keywords: electron microscopy; energy conversion; heterogeneous catalysis; methanol synthesis