CO2 hydrogenation to light olefins over Zn–Zr/support-SAPO-34: comparison of different supports†

The efficient CO₂ conversion to light olefins through hydrogenation is a feasible strategy to achieve carbon neutrality goals. Herein, a series of bimetallic Zn–Zr/supports are synthesized by a conventional impregnation method. We demonstrate that different supports endow catalysts with various specific surface areas, pore sizes, chemical adsorption performances, and acid densities. The effects of different support-loaded Zn–Zr coupled with SAPO-34 on CO₂ hydrogenation to light olefins are investigated systematically. The CO₂ conversion of Zn–Zr/Q10-SAPO-34, Zn–Zr/Q50-SAPO-34, Zn–Zr/γAl₂O₃-SAPO-34, Zn–Zr/MgO-SAPO-34 and Zn–Zr/S-1-SAPO-34 is 11.4%, 9.2%, 24.0%, 8.8%, and 16.2%, respectively, with corresponding light olefin selectivity of 39.0%, 28.1%, 30.4%, 4.8%, and 14.7%, respectively. Significantly, γAl₂O₃ is more conducive to CO₂ conversion, while Q10 tends to produce light olefins. This work provides an effective reference for support selection in CO₂ hydrogenation to light olefins.