A series of core-shell structured CuO-ZnO@H-ZSM-5 (CZ@H) catalysts were prepared by homogeneous precipitation through urea hydrolysis. This novel preparation procedure and excellent core-shell structure had contributed to its high-performance for CO hydrogenation under 260 degrees C, 2.0 MPa and high space velocity (6000 mL/(g(-cat) h). The space time yield of dimethyl ether (DME) over CZ@H(7.5) reached 0.76 g(-DME)/g(-cat) h with a 69.6% selectivity, and these values exceeded that of hybrid catalyst prepared by traditional mixing method (0.37 g(-DME)/g(-cat) h, 65.1% selectivity of DME). This high performance of bifunctional CZ@H catalysts could be attributed to the high Cu dispersion and well-defined core-shell structure. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.