Probing structural dynamics in In-Pd-based catalysts for the hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol

The catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol allows converting one of the major greenhouse gases (CO2) combined with CO2 capture provides a carbon-neutral source of fuels and platform chemicals. This project aims to understand the structure of active sites and structural dynamics in Pd-In-based catalysts for the selective CO2 hydrogenation to methanol reaction. Specifically, the questions we want to address are: What is the role and the stability of a PdIn alloy and InOx species under CO2 hydrogenation? And what are the structural dynamics that drive the high performance of Pd-In-based catalysts? To answer these questions, we design a series of operando + transient experiments using XAS and XRD on a model catalyst system. In and Pd K-edges XAS + XRD studies will provide information about the Pd and In electronic and local-to-average geometrical structure under reaction which will be linked to the online monitored catalytic activity.