Formation of Dimethyl Carbonate on Nature Clay Supported Bimetallic Copper-Nickel Catalysts

Abstract

Halloysite nanotubes supported Cu–Ni bimetallic catalysts were synthesized and applied to the direct formation of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from methanol and CO2. Halloystite nanotubes (HNTs), K treated HNTs (KHNTs) and the synthesized catalysts were characterized by thermogravimetric and differential thermalgravimetric analysis (TG-DTA), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) techniques. The catalyst activities were evaluated in a continuous fixed-bed tubular microreactor under 1.2 MPa at 130 °C. The effects of the metal weight loadings on the catalytic performances and surface acid–base properties were studied. It was found that moderately acid–base balance on the catalysts surface were important for the DMC yield.