Formation of a ZnO Overlayer in Industrial Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ Catalysts Induced by Strong Metal–Support Interactions

In industrially relevant Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts for methanol synthesis, the strong metal support interaction between Cu and ZnO is known to play a key role. Here we report a detailed chemical transmission electron microscopy study on the nanostructural consequences of the strong metal support interaction in an activated high-performance catalyst. For the first time, clear evidence for the formation of metastable “graphite-like” ZnO layers during reductive activation is provided. The description of this metastable layer might contribute to the understanding of synergistic effects between the components of the Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts