Researchers at ETH Zurich have engineered a catalyst using isolated indium atoms on hafnium oxide to convert CO2 and hydrogen into methanol more efficiently than previous methods. This single-atom design maximizes metal use and enables clearer study of reaction mechanisms. The breakthrough could support sustainable chemical production if powered by renewables.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have advanced catalyst technology by creating a system where individual indium atoms on hafnium oxide drive the conversion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methanol. Unlike traditional catalysts with metal nanoparticles containing hundreds or thousands of atoms—many inactive—this approach uses each indium atom as an active site, improving efficiency and reducing reliance on scarce metals. The catalyst withstands high temperatures up to 300°C and pressures up to 50 times atmospheric levels, ensuring durability for industrial use. To anchor the atoms stably, the team developed synthesis methods, including flame combustion at 2,000-3,000°C followed by rapid cooling. Javier Pérez-Ramírez, Professor of Catalysis Engineering at ETH Zurich, noted: “Our new catalyst has a single atom architecture, in which isolated active metal atoms are anchored on the surface of a specially developed support material.” He added that isolated indium atoms outperform nanoparticles: “In our study, we show that isolated indium atoms on hafnium oxide allow more efficient CO2-based methanol synthesis than indium in the form of nanoparticles containing large numbers of atoms.” Pérez-Ramírez described methanol as “a universal precursor for the production of a wide range of chemicals and materials, such as plastics -- the Swiss army knife of chemistry, so to speak.” He has worked on CO2-to-methanol since 2010, holds patents, and collaborates with industry and Swiss researchers. The findings appear in Nature Nanotechnology (2026, DOI: 10.1038/s41565-026-02135-y).