In situ DRIFTS and DFT study of CO₂ hydrogenation over the In₂O₃ catalyst

The pressure dependent reaction mechanism of CO2 hydrogenation over In2O3 was investigated. CO2 hydrogenation on In2O3 can produce methanol only at high pressure, while the atmospheric pressure operation leads to the formation of CO. The conversion from HCOO* to H3CO* is accelerated at high pressure, leading to the formation of methanol with the formate route (CO2* -> HCOO* -> H3CO* -> H3COH).