Tuning activity and selectivity of CO2 hydrogenation via metal-oxide interfaces over ZnO-supported metal catalysts

•The catalytic activity and product selectivity in CO2 hydrogenation are strongly dependent on the structure of metal-ZnO interfaces.•The catalytic activity in CO2 hydrogenation is determined by the weak basic sites.•The product selectivity in CO2 hydrogenation is determined by the strength of adsorbed CO species.•All Ni/ZnO catalysts with weak CO adsorption capacities exhibit high CO selectivity.•CH4 could be produced on Ru/ZnO catalysts, where more low-coordination Ru species on Ru/p-ZnO induced by stronger MSIs contribute to a higher CH4 selectivity.