(605g) Support and Promoter Effects on the Activity of Transition Metal Phosphide Catalysts for CO and CO2 Hydrogenation

The development of new catalysts for converting synthesis gas (CO/CO₂/H₂) and CO₂/H₂ mixtures can unlock diverse feedstocks for the production of conventionally petroleum derived chemicals. Synthesis gas can be produced from biomass, natural gas and other sources and CO₂ can be collected from combustion and industrial processes to be hydrogenated to high value products. The use of CO₂ and renewable hydrogen or biomass-derived syngas, can generate fuels and chemicals which approach carbon neutrality. We have investigated transition metal phosphide catalysts for the hydrogenation of CO, CO₂ and their mixtures and have developed catalysts with high stability under changing feed conditions. Molybdenum phosphide catalysts were found to be active for the synthesis of a range of products including methane, hydrocarbons, methanol and higher alcohols. Promoter and support effects were significant in the control of the product distribution. The effects of support and promoters on both the MoP phase formation as well as catalytic activity were investigated using both ex-situ and operando characterization techniques such as XPS, XRD, and XAS.