Tuning interfaces between Cu and oxide via atomic layer deposition method for CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol

Tailoring the metal-oxide interface by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a promising strategy to modulate active sites for methanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation. Herein, specific Cu/ZnOx/CeO2 interfaces are constructed by controlling the deposition sequence and amount of ZnO in Cu-Zn-Ce oxide catalysts via the ALD method. In-depth characterizations demonstrate that Cu+-Zn-0-Ce4+ structure is the active site for methanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation. This strategy provides a viable way to tune the metal-oxide interface to develop catalysts and favors precise understanding of the catalytic-structure activity relationship of the Cu species in the process of CO2 conversion to methanol.