Low-Temperature Hydrogenation of CO to Methanol in Water on ZnO-Supported CuAu Nanoalloys.

Optimizing processes and materials for the valorization of CO to hydrogen carriers or platform chemicals is a key step for mitigating global warming and for the sustainable use of renewables. We report here on the hydrogenation of CO in water on ZnO-supported CuAu nanoalloys, based on ≤7 mol % Au. Cu Au /ZnO catalysts were characterized using Au Mössbauer, in situ X-ray absorption (Au L - and Cu K-edges), and ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron (APXP) spectroscopic methods together with X-ray diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy.