Every chemical reaction requires overcoming a certain energy barrier to begin. To initiate a reaction, substances need an initial input of energy. In some cases, this barrier is low, such as when lighting a match, but in many industrial processes, the required energy is much higher, leading to increased costs.

To improve efficiency and simplify chemical reactions, catalysts are used—substances that lower the energy needed for a reaction to occur. The most effective catalysts often contain metals, including rare and expensive elements.

New Advances in Catalysis

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a catalyst that significantly reduces the energy required to produce methanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. In this system, each indium atom acts as an individual active site, which sets it apart from traditional catalysts where metals are grouped into particles.

Advantages of the New Approach

One of the key benefits of this new technology is its high precision. Previously, catalyst development often relied on trial and error. The new method allows for more detailed observation and analysis of surface reactions, enabling targeted and optimized catalyst design.

The Importance of Methanol

Methanol is widely used in the chemical industry as a versatile precursor for producing various chemicals and materials, including plastics. Its significance is growing as the world shifts toward alternative energy sources. If the hydrogen and energy for the process come from renewable sources, methanol production can become climate-neutral. Additionally, this method allows CO2 to be used as a valuable raw material rather than being released into the atmosphere.

Efficiency of Single-Atom Catalysts

Catalysts in which metals are present as individual atoms offer maximum efficiency, as every atom participates in the reaction. In traditional catalysts, metals usually form particles containing hundreds or thousands of atoms, many of which do not directly take part in the process, reducing overall effectiveness.

Using metals at the single-atom level allows for more rational use of rare and costly elements, and in some cases, makes it feasible to use precious metals in industry.

Features of the Indium-Based Catalyst

Working with isolated atoms can alter the properties of a catalyst. In the new catalyst, isolated indium atoms are anchored on the surface of hafnium oxide, which enables more efficient methanol synthesis from CO2 compared to using indium in the form of nanoparticles.

To precisely position indium atoms on the hafnium oxide surface, new synthesis methods were developed, including burning the starting materials in a flame at temperatures from 2000 to 3000°C followed by rapid cooling. As a result, the indium atoms remain on the surface and are firmly fixed in place.

Durability and Stability

The resulting catalyst is highly durable and can withstand harsh conditions, including high temperatures and pressures, which is crucial for industrial methanol production from CO2 and hydrogen, where temperatures up to 300°C and pressures up to 50 atmospheres are common.

Improved Reaction Analysis

Traditional nanoparticle-based catalysts are difficult to study because many measurement signals come from atoms inside the particles that do not participate in the reaction. Single-atom catalysts help minimize this issue, making it easier to analyze reaction mechanisms and leading to a deeper understanding of the processes involved.

Development Prospects

The creation of new catalysts has become possible thanks to interdisciplinary collaboration among research groups. This approach paves the way for more efficient and sustainable production of methanol and other chemical products.