Potassium promoted iron-zinc catalysts prepared by co-precipitation method (C-Fe-Zn/K), solvothermal method (S-Fe-Zn/K) and hydrothermal method (H-Fe-Zn/K) could selectively convert CO2 to light olefins, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the obtained catalysts were determined by SEM, N2 physisorption, XRD, H-2-TPR, CO2-TPD and XPS measurements. The results demonstrated that preparation methods had great influences on the morphology, phase structures, reduction and adsorption behavior, and hence the catalytic performance of the catalysts. The samples prepared by hydrothermal and co-precipitation method generated small uniform particles and led to lower specific surface area. In contrast, microspheres with larger specific surface area were formed by self-assembly of nanosheets using solvothermal method. ZnFe2O4 was the only detectable phase in the fresh C-2Fe-1Zn/K, S-3Fe-1Zn/K and S-2Fe-1Zn/K samples. ZnFe2O4 and ZnO co-existed with increasing Zn content in S-1Fe-1Zn/K sample, while ZnO and Fe2O3 could be observed over H-2Fe-1Zn/K sample. All the used samples contained Fe3O4, ZnO and Fe5C2. The peak intensity of ZnO was strong in the AR-H-2Fe-1Zn/K sample while it was the lowest in the AR-C-2Fe-1Zn/K sample after reaction. The formation of ZnFe2O4 increased the interaction between iron and zinc for C-2Fe-1Zn/K and S-Fe-Zn/K samples, causing easier reduction of Fe2O3 to Fe3O4. The surface basicity of the sample prepared by co-precipitation method was much more than that of the other two methods. During CO2 hydrogenation, all the catalysts showed good activity and olefin selectivity. The CO selectivity was increased with increasing Zn content over S-Fe-Zn/K samples. H-2Fe-1Zn/K catalyst preferred to the production of CS hydrocarbons. CO2 conversion of 54.76% and C-2(=)-C-4(=) contents of 57.38% were obtained on C-2Fe-1Zn/K sample, respectively. (C) 2017 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.