One-pot catalytic conversion of methanol to C6–C21 hydrocarbons over bi-functional MFe2O4 (M = Ni, Zn, Mn, Co) catalysts

Abstract

We report a novel catalytic conversion of methanol to C6–C21 hydrocarbons over the bi-functional MFe₂O₄ (M = Ni, Zn, Mn, Co) catalysts prepared by a solvothermal method. The process consists of two steps: (i) the catalytic reforming of methanol to H₂ and CO, and (ii) the subsequent conversion of the syngas to hydrocarbons via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS). For comparison purposes, two other series of catalysts including MO (M = Ni, Zn, Mn, Co, Fe), and M_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄ (M = Ni, Zn, Mn) catalysts were also prepared and tested. All the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and H₂-temperature programmed reduction. Among these catalysts, ZnFe₂O₄ exhibited the highest activity with a high methanol conversion of 26% and a high selectivity to C6–C21 hydrocarbons above 94% at 300 °C. Moreover, this ZnFe₂O₄ catalyst was still stable and reusable after 4 runs under the reaction conditions. This work demonstrates a possibility to directly convert methanol to liquid fuels.