title: Different routes to methanol: inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy of adsorbates on supported copper catalysts.
abstract: We have investigated methanol synthesis with model supported copper catalysts, Cu/ZnO and Cu/MgO, using CO/H2 and CO2/H2 as feedstocks. Under CO/H2 both catalysts show chemisorbed methoxy as a stable intermediate, the Cu/MgO catalyst also shows hydroxyls on the support. Under CO2/H2 the catalysts behave differently, in that formate is also seen on the catalyst. For the Cu/ZnO catalyst hydroxyls are present on the metal whereas for the Cu/MgO hydroxyls are found on the support. These results are consistent with a recently published model for methanol synthesis and highlight the key role of ZnO in the process.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Anorganische Chemie, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Timur
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kandemir
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Anorganische Chemie, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.affiliation: ISIS Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, UK.
authors.forename: Stewart F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Studt
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lennon
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Anorganische Chemie, Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schlögl
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry and CENIDE, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 7, 45141 Essen, Germany. malte.behrens@uni-due.de.
authors.forename: Malte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Behrens