Promoting effect of a Cu–Zn binary precursor on a ternary Cu–Zn–Al catalyst for methanol synthesis from synthesis gas

Abstract

Small amounts of Cu–Zn binary precursor were introduced into traditional ternary Cu–Zn–Al catalysts to produce a series of modified ternary Cu–Zn–Al catalysts for the synthesis of methanol from synthesis gas with high CO content. 2 wt% Cu–Zn (Cu–Zn = 3 : 1 atomic ratio) binary precursor was found to have the most significant improvement for the catalytic performances. Physicochemical characterization of the as-prepared catalysts by TPR, in situ XRD and in situ XAES techniques indicated that the addition of a suitable amount of binary Cu–Zn precursor partially modified the structure of the catalyst, changed the particle size of Cu, copper surface area and the ratio of Cu⁺/Cu⁰, and thus effectively improved the catalytic performances of the catalyst.