Stabilization of copper catalysts for hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate by deposition of Ag clusters on Cu nanoparticles

Novel Ag/Cu/SiO2 catalysts have been fabricated by galvanic deposition of Ag clusters on Cu nanoparticles for the first time. Although the Ag clusters in Ag/Cu/SiO2 covered about 20 to 30% of the Cu active surface, the turnover frequency is remarkably enhanced, resulting in a great improvement in the final DMO hydrogenation activity. More importantly, the obtained Ag/Cu/SiO2 catalyst achieves a lasting catalytic activity up to 1100 h due to the strong interaction between Cu and Ag, which is among the best records for Cu-based catalysts.