Unveiling the dynamic behavior of redox-active Cu/SrTiO3 catalysts for CO2 conversion to methanol via combined XAS-XRD

The goal of this project is to pin down for the first time the type of sites on Cu/SrTiO3 formed during the catalyst(s) activation and their dynamics under conditions relevant to produce methanol by CO2 hydrogenation. We will measure in operando combined XRD and Cu, Sr and Ti K-edge XAS alongside with mass spectrometry of the downstream from a high-pressure setup. By means of this strategy, we expect to answer whether and if the support is a spectator and, if not, how Sr and Ti are involved in catalysis. The combined XAS and XRD shall allow us to precisely follow the evolution of the oxidation state and any change in the local coordination and electron density of the element(s) as well as the formation, if any, of lattice defects (which and where). We aim to specify the material structure-activity relationship, thus guiding the rationale synthesis of a novel, inexpensive and performant methanol catalyst.