Effects of manganese on the catalytic performance of CuCo catalysts for direct conversion of CO/CO2 to higher alcohols

Abstract

The catalytic conversion of CO or CO/CO₂ mixtures to higher alcohols (HAs) using hydrogenation reactions remains challenging in C1 chemistry and also one of the most promising reactions for the utilization of non-petroleum resources. Here, the experiment and characterization tests of CuCoMn/Al₂O₃ show that copper is much more dispersed on γ-Al₂O₃ than cobalt, and the interaction between cobalt and Mn metals is stronger. And, mixed cobalt–manganese oxides are formed in the calcined catalyst, promoting the formation of higher alcohols. Under the optimum conditions, the catalyst demonstrated a total alcohol selectivity of 44.6%, and the fraction of higher alcohols reached up to 85.3% among the total alcohol products, which is superior to the classical modified CuCo-based catalysts. And in the gas mixture reaction with a CO : CO₂ ratio of 8 : 2, the conversion rate of the catalyst to CO and CO₂ reached 34.8% and 27.3%, respectively, and the selectivity (C1+ slate 1-alcohol) was 53.2%.