Abstract
This work provides insight into the promotional effect of Mn on the synthesis of higher alcohols over Cu-based ternary catalysts through XPS and in situ DRIFTS and powder XRD.
Highlights
The conversion of syngas to methanol over Cu/ ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts is an established, large-scale industrial process, CO hydrogenation to higher alcohols still remains challenging
The detailed distribution of the alcohols presented in Fig. S1† shows that the synthesis yields mainly primary linear and branched alcohols (2-methyl-1-propanol), consistent with the aldol-type condensation mechanism that has been proposed for Cubased catalysts.[3]
Substitution of Zn by Mn in the catalyst formulation was found to favor the synthesis of higher alcohols, with K-CuMnAl exhibiting higher selectivity compared to the reference K-CuZnAl
Summary
The conversion of syngas to methanol over Cu/ ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts is an established, large-scale industrial process, CO hydrogenation to higher alcohols still remains challenging. Despite the substantial amount of research work, the commercialization of the higher alcohol synthesis (HAS) process is still hindered by low yields and poor catalyst selectivity. Promotion of Cu-based methanol synthesis catalysts with alkalis, such as Li, Na, K and Cs, shifts the synthesis to higher molecular weight products,[3,4,5,6,7,8] almost always at the expense of CO conversion.[9] The addition of transition metals has been reported to act beneficially towards higher alcohol formation. 11, 12, 15 and 16) together with alkali compounds to Cubased ZnO or Cr2O3 catalysts improved selectivity to higher alcohols, especially to isobutanol The addition of Mn,[11,12,13,14] Cr, Th,[11,15,16] and Ce (ref. 11, 12, 15 and 16) together with alkali compounds to Cubased ZnO or Cr2O3 catalysts improved selectivity to higher alcohols, especially to isobutanol
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