Molybdenum phosphide as a new catalyst for alcohol synthesis from CO and CO2

Molybdenum phosphide shows stable activity for the hydrogenation of CO, CO2 and their mixtures to methanol. MoP synthesized using a temperature programmed reduction (TPR) method demonstrated high selectivity to methanol, but also the formation of other products, such as higher oxygenates and methane. A low temperature colloidal synthesis method was used to promote methanol synthesis activity and perform a systematic support effects study.