Boosting the ethanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation over Rh-based catalyst generated via SOMC

The Rh-based catalysts have been recently shown promising selectivity towards ethanol in CO2 hydrogenation. Via surface organometallic chemistry (SOMC), a powerful tool for the construction of well-defined model catalysts for an array of reactions, we have synthesized size-homogeneous Rh nanoparticles doped with Fe or Co on SiO2 (RhFe@SiO2 and RhCo@SiO2) to rationalize the effect of various metal promoters. By conducting ex situ as well as in situ x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) experiments to identify the speciation of these bimetallic catalysts especially under working state, we expect to elucidate the interplay between structure and catalytic performance for Rh-based catalyst and the active site for ethanol formation. The outcomes of this proposal will enable to rationally design the next generation of catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation, which would have an important impact on decarbonizing our economy.