Role of zirconium in direct CO 2 hydrogenation to lower olefins on oxide/zeolite bifunctional catalysts

•In-Zr/SAPO-34 catalysts were used for direct CO2 hydrogenation to lower olefins.•In-Zr composite oxides were prepared with the introduction of different Zr content.•A selectivity for C2=–C4= was up to 80% in hydrocarbons with 2% CH4 and 64% CO.•The addition of a certain amount of Zr can markedly enhance catalytic performance.