Carbon-Supported Mg-Al Oxide Hybrid Catalysts for Aqueous Ethanol Conversion into 1-Butanol in a Flow Reactor

Carbon-supported Mg-Al oxide (hydrotalcite-derived) hybrid catalysts for aqueous ethanol conversion into 1-butanol were prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, low-temperature nitrogen ad(de)sorption, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, and temperature-programmed desorption of NH3, CO2, and H2O. Enhanced catalytic activity and stability of operation over time on stream of the hybrid catalysts versus Mg-Al oxides were achieved using both rectified and aqueous ethanol as feed. Redistribution of the active sites of the Mg-Al oxide phase over a highly dispersed support and increasing their availability for the reagents were suggested to be the causes of the enhanced activity of the hybrid catalysts.

Automated summary

Carbon-supported Mg-Al oxide hybrid catalysts were prepared and characterized for aqueous ethanol conversion into 1-butanol, showing enhanced catalytic activity and stability over time on stream compared to Mg-Al oxides when using both rectified and aqueous ethanol as feed. The redistribution of active sites of the Mg-Al oxide phase over a highly dispersed support was suggested to be the cause of the enhanced activity of the hybrid catalysts.