Copper-cobalt catalysts have attracted attention for syngas conversion to ethanol and higher alcohols.  In this contribution, Co/SiO2 and CuCo/SiO2 catalysts have been studied for their performance in CO hydrogenation.  CO adsorption from flowing syngas has also been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.  These experiments showed that CuCo/SiO2 binds CO more strongly than does Co/SiO2 . This would be expected to increase probability of CO dissociation and increase methanation compared to Co/SiO2.  However, CuCo/SiO2 shows lower methane and C2+ hydrocarbon selectivities than does Co/SiO2.  This result is attributed to increased probability of CO dissociation and associative adsorption at the same type of site on CuCo/SiO2, which favors selectivity to ethanol and higher alcohols.  On Co/SiO2, oxygenate yields are higher, but selectivities are lower, due to the presence of two types of cobalt sites, not necessarily in close proximity, one of which adsorbs CO dissociatively and is undetectable by DRIFTS.

Copper- and cobalt-based catalysts for CO hydrogenation to ethanol and higher alcohols

244th National Meeting (2012)

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