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Formation of a ZnO Overlayer in Industrial Cu/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 Catalysts Induced by Strong Metal–Support Interactions
Author(s) -
Lunkenbein Thomas,
Schumann Julia,
Behrens Malte,
Schlögl Robert,
Willinger Marc G.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201411581
Subject(s) - overlayer , catalysis , materials science , metastability , metal , chemical engineering , transmission electron microscopy , graphite , zinc , copper , methanol , inorganic chemistry , nanotechnology , chemistry , metallurgy , organic chemistry , engineering
In industrially relevant Cu/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 catalysts for methanol synthesis, the strong metal support interaction between Cu and ZnO is known to play a key role. Here we report a detailed chemical transmission electron microscopy study on the nanostructural consequences of the strong metal support interaction in an activated high‐performance catalyst. For the first time, clear evidence for the formation of metastable “graphite‐like” ZnO layers during reductive activation is provided. The description of this metastable layer might contribute to the understanding of synergistic effects between the components of the Cu/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 catalysts.