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Updated: Sep 18, 2025
Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Tellurium-Induced Noble-Metal Reactivity in CO2 Hydrogenation Catalysts
Xiaoyu Zhou1, Colin Hansen1, Daniel Isler1
1Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich CH-8093, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction is a pivotal industrial process that is central to CO2 utilization. It typically relies on rare platinum group metal catalysts and high temperatures (over 1000 °C). Here, we show that tellurium switches the reactivity of classical methanation-active transition metals (e.g., Co, Ni, Ru, Rh) to selectively promote the RWGS reaction at low temperatures (<450 °C). Te-doped Co and Ni on titania achieve near-equilibrium CO2 conversions with high stability and CO selectivities exceeding 98%, rivaling those of Pt-based systems. Characterization reveals stable alloy formation that suppresses methanation and favors CO desorption. These findings position transition-metal tellurides as alternative catalysts for sustainable CO2 conversion.
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