Researchers reveal synergistic interplay mechanism of dual active sites on bimetallic oxide for syngas conversion

Catalytic syngas conversion is the key route to bridge the gap between various carbon resources and essential chemicals. Oxide-zeolite (OXZEO) bifunctional catalysis is a new platform for this conversion.

Recently, a research team led by Prof. HOU Guangjin from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has revealed the synergistic interplay mechanism of dual active sites on bimetallic oxide for efficient syngas conversion at atomic level.

This study was published in Chem on Feb. 8.

The researchers investigated syngas conversion over a representative spinel ZnAl₂O₄ oxide with combined advanced solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technologies. They utilized in-situ NMR method to observe the full process of syngas conversion to methanol over ZnAl₂O₄ catalyst, during which the formate and methoxy species were identified as the key intermediates.

Through a series of double resonance and multi-dimensional correlation NMR experiments, they identified the dual active sites with structure of -Al_IV-OH···Zn_III-. Thus, they proposed the synergistic catalytic mechanism of the dual active sites on ZnAl₂O₄ catalyst for syngas conversion reaction.

Moreover, they elaborated the dynamic evolution of the reaction intermediates and active sites during the reaction process at atomic level.

"On one hand, our work exemplifies the increasing capability of solid-state NMR spectroscopy in the study of surface/interface catalysis," Prof. HOU said. "On the other hand, the current understanding of the active sites and reaction mechanism can bring inspiration to study syngas conversion and CO₂ hydrogenation on other bimetallic oxide systems, providing important guidance for the rational design and modulation of high-efficiency oxide catalysts."