Copper-cobalt catalysts supported on mechanically mixed HZSM-5 and -Al2O3 for higher alcohols synthesis via carbon monoxide hydrogenation

Mechanically mixed -Al2O3 and HZSM-5 (Si/Al = 50) with different mass ratio were utilized as support for Cu-Co higher alcohol synthesis catalysts prepared through incipient wetness impregnation. The textural and structural properties were studied using Ar low temperature adsorption and desorption, H-2-temperature programmed reduction (H-2-TPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and catalytic performance measurements. The results indicated that the mechanically mixed HZSM-5 and -Al2O3 supported copper-cobalt catalysts were superior to either -Al2O3 or HZSM-5 supported ones with the same metal loading. The results revealed that using HZSM-5 and -Al2O3 mechanically mixed benefited the dispersion of metallic phases and stronger synergetic functions between smaller nanoparticles containing copper and/or cobalt, which is essential for HAS from CO hydrogenation. Under working conditions of P = 5.0 MPa, T = 300 degrees C, V(H-2):V(CO):V(N-2) = 4:2:1 and GHSV = 7200 mL g(-1) h(-1), mechanically mixed HZSM-5 and -Al2O3 supported catalysts showed higher catalytic activity than those over single support. For CuCo catalysts upon support containing 50.0 wt% HZSM-5 and 50.0 wt% -Al2O3, the CO conversion was 21.3% and the C2+ alcohol selectivity was 41.8%.