Preparation, Characterization, and Catalytic Performance of ZrO₂–SnO₂ Nanocatalysts for the Direct Synthesis of DMC

The aim of this work was to explore the influence of temperature on the structural composition and catalytic activity of ZrO₂–SnO₂ catalysts for direct conversion of CO₂ to dimethyl carbonate (DMC). ZrO₂–SnO₂ were prepared via a template-precipitation method and characterized by SEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, NH₃/CO₂-TPD, and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms. The results showed that the calcination and hydrothermal temperature had opposite effects on the acid-base site and oxygen vacancy number of catalysts, and also have different effects on the crystal and pore structure. That confirmed that temperature had a significant impact on the studied catalysts. Furthermore, the effects of reaction conditions on the yield of DMC were investigated. The optimum reaction conditions were the catalyst amount of 0.8 g, temperature of 150°C, and time of 20 h, and the corresponding DMC yield was 1.85 mmol/(g catalyst). Thus, this work validated the temperature control strategy of catalyst preparation.