Catalytic conversion of syngas to mixed alcohols over CuFe-based catalysts derived from layered double hydroxides

A uniform and highly dispersed CuFe-based catalyst was obtained via a calcination-reduction process of a CuFeMg-layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursor, which exhibits good activity and selectivity towards catalytic conversion of syngas to mixed alcohols. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveal that the CuFeMg-LDH precursor possesses high crystallinity with a particle size of 40-60 nm. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) demonstrate a high dispersion of copper and iron species on the catalyst surface. The CuFe-based catalyst derived from CuFeMg-LDHs shows high CO conversion (56.89%) and the total alcohol yield (0.28 g mL(cat)(-1) h(-1)), as a result of the high dispersion of active species as well as the synergistic effect between the copper and the iron species revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and H-2 temperature-programmed reduction (H-2-TPR) techniques. Therefore, this work provides a facile and effective method for the preparation of CuFe-based catalysts with high catalytic activity, which can be potentially used in syngas conversion to mixed alcohols.