Simultaneous monitoring of the structural and electronic properties of Pd(/Zn)@UiO-67-bipy catalyst during the direct conversion of CO2

The direct conversion of CO2 with hydrogen to methanol under mild conditions is a much-coveted reaction to address the crisis of climate and energy crises. Copper is a selective catalyst it only operates at relatively high pressures and temperatures, it also has an optimum particle size, not easily maintained over repeated cycles. Zn-promoted Pd is regarded as a potential contender at milder conditions. In addition, smaller particles can be used yielding greater atom economy may be achieved. Metal-organic frameworks are ideal substrates for nanoconfining catalyst nanoclusters, which is the approach we have taken. However to understand where the catalyst activity arises from a deep understanding into the electronic characteristics of the catalyst, particularly in operando conditions must be developed. We will probe the chemical state and coordination environment of Pd and Zn during reaction, using XAS, while collecting diffraction patterns to monitor support integrity.