Effect of Cu incorporation on Fe-based catalysts for selective CO₂ hydrogenation to olefins

The process of converting CO₂ into sustainable chemical feedstock and fuels through reaction with renewable hydrogen has been regarded as a promising direction in energy research. The enhancement of CO₂ hydrogenation efficiency to produce valuable hydrocarbons (specifically olefins) on Fe catalysts through Cu modification has been extensively researched. However, there is ongoing vigorous debate regarding the impact of these modifications on catalytic properties and the underlying mechanism. When compared to unprompted iron-based catalysts for CO₂ hydrogenation, the choice of desired products, such as C₂-C₄ and C₅₊, is relatively low. So, promoters are frequently employed to customize and enhance product distribution. This study investigates how adding Cu to Fe-based supported catalysts affects their performance in converting CO₂ to hydrocarbons, with a specific emphasis on the interaction between Fe and Cu. To achieve this goal, catalysts were created using co-precipitation methods, varying the distribution of Fe and Cu within them. A set of composite catalysts underwent testing in a fixed bed setup using a reactant gas mixture at 350 °C and 30 bar pressure. Analysis techniques such as XRD, SEM, TEM, NH₃-TPD, H₂-TPR, and N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms revealed the presence of iron-copper interaction within the composite catalysts. This interaction between the two components synergistically enhances the catalytic activity in CO₂ hydrogenation.