We are developing highly active, moderate temperature, nano-structured catalysts for the hydrogenation of CO₂-rich feedstocks to produce liquid synthetic fuels. The bi-functional catalysts contain a methanol synthesis catalyst (Cu/ZnO) and a methanol to gasoline functionality (ZSM-5) in close proximity. Porous ZSM-5 catalysts with bi-modal pore-size distributions were prepared using carbon nanopowders or nanotubes as templating agents. The Cu/ZnO was incorporated into the composite catalyst using a hydrothermal synthesis method. The nanoscale composite catalysts have been prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and BET surface area. Catalyst activities and selectivities for the production of methanol, dimethylether, and hydrocarbons were measured and compared to commercially available catalysts.

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