In₂O₃ as a promising catalyst for CO₂ utilization: A case study with reverse water gas shift over In₂O ₃

In₂O₃ was prepared by using thermal decomposition of indium (III) nitrate hydrate at 300°C for 3 h. The obtained crystals show a rectangular shape with highly porous morphology. The length of the rectangular In₂O₃ is ranged from 40 to 80 nm with an average pore diameter of ca. 3.4 nm. Such prepared In₂O₃ catalyst shows an obviously higher activity for reverse water gas shift (RWGS) than Ga ₂O₃ obtained at the same decomposition temperature. The result is in good agreement with the theoretical prediction, which shows that adsorbed CO₂ on In₂O₃ surface is more highly activated than that on the Ga₂O₃ surface. The present work confirms that In₂O₃ is a promising catalyst for not only RWGS but also other CO₂ conversion reactions.