Fe2O3@ZrO2 catalyst derived from MOF-on-MOF for direct CO2 hydrogenation to light olefins

The utilization of CO 2 for the production of light olefins through catalysis with iron-based catalysts presents a viable strategy to address the challenges of carbon neutrality. In this study, we synthesized a novel hybrid catalyst Fe 2 O 3 @ZrO 2 , derived from the pyrolysis of dual metal–organic frameworks (NH 2 -MIL-88B@UiO-66). Under specific conditions (340 °C, 3.0 MPa, CO 2 /H 2  = 1:3, 10000 mL g cat −1 h −1 ), the Fe 2 O 3 @ZrO 2 catalyst exhibited a notable space–time yield of light olefins at 12.7 mmol g −1 h −1 . The characterizations results show an electron transfer from ZrO 2 to the Fe 2 O 3 surface was observed at the heterointerface of Fe 2 O 3 and ZrO 2 . This electron transfer mechanism was identified as advantageous for the formation of the active phase Fe 5 C 2 . This research introduces an innovative use of the hybrid Fe 2 O 3 @ZrO 2 catalyst derived from MOF-on-MOF, holding significant promise in advancing the field of CO 2 hydrogenation catalysts.