Abstract: Nano-sized mixed metal oxide catalysts capable of producing methanol (CH3OH) from carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) or from carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen (H2), methods of making the catalyst, and uses thereof are described herein. The nano-sized mixed metal oxide catalysts can have a formula of: [CuaZnbAlcMd1]On where a is 20 to 80, b is 15 to 60, c is 1 to 25, d is 0 to 15 and n is determined by the oxidation states of the other elements is determined by the oxidation states, and M1 can be yttrium (Y), cerium (Ce), tin (Sn), sodium (Na), bismuth (Bi), magnesium (Mg), or gadolinium (Gd).

Abstract: Mixed metal oxide catalysts capable of catalyzing hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol reaction are disclosed, as well as a method for producing methanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The mixed metal oxide catalysts include copper (Cu), and M1 and M2 oxides. M1 can be zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), or cerium (Ce), or any combination thereof, and M2 can be yttrium (Y), barium (Ba), rubidium (Rb), terbium (Tb), strontium (Sr), or molybdenum (Mo), or any combination thereof, with the proviso that M2 is not Y when the mixed metal oxide catalyst is [Cu/Zn/M2]0n or [Cu/Zr/M]0n, where n is determined by the oxidation states of the other elements.