An in situ infrared study of hydrogenation of CO over Rh/ZrO2

FT-IR has been used to follow the formation and reaction of surface species during the hydrogenation of CO over a Rh/ZrO2 catalyst al high temperature and pressure. Particular attention has been paid to the relationship between carbonate and formate species. The reaction was studied at various reaction temperatures and for two catalyst reduction temperatures. Carbonate species which are probably located at the metal/support interface are hydrogenated to give formate species. Pretreatments which modify the metal/support interface influence the relationship between carbonate and formate.