In the present study, a series of MWCNT supported KCoRhMo catalysts have been prepared using bentonite clay (BC) as a binder in the catalyst formulation. Catalysts were prepared by the conventional co-impregnation method and stabilized under argon atmosphere. Variable bentonite clay loadings of 0, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%, respectively, were used in the catalyst preparation. Characterization of the oxidic samples by BET revealed that the mesoporosity of the pristine MWCNT support was not compromised after loading a combined total of 30 wt. % metals (9wt.% K, 4.5wt.% Co, 1.5wt.% Rh, and 15wt.% Mo) on the support. In addition, specific surface area of the was BC-incorporated catalysts remained unchanged after metals loading. Broad angle XRD analysis confirmed the homogenous dispersion of catalyst metals on the support; however, with incremental BC loadings, the crystallite sizes of the phases present increased. Results of temperature programmed reduction of hydrogen on these catalysts showed that increasing the bentonite clay loading shifts the reduction temperature of catalytic phases present to higher temperatures. Moreso, TGA showed that the percent weight loss of these catalyst samples as a function of temperature was quite minimal and followed an incremental weight loss trend as follows: Cat-D > Cat-C > Cat-B ~ Cat-A. CO hydrogenation reaction studies for higher alcohol synthesis conducted at T=330�C, P=8.3MPa, H2/CO=1.25, and GHSV=3.6 m3STP/(kg cat/h) revealed that all the BC-incorporated MoS2-based catalysts investigated have high selectivity towards the production of higher alcohols, with ethanol being the most predominant higher alcohol product in the final liquid product stream with the main by-products constituting hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. With increased BC loading, a decrease in total alcohol productivity was observed with corresponding increases in both the major side products of the overall higher alcohol synthesis reactions.

Conversion of syngas to higher alcohols: Influence of bentonite clay as a binder and its variable loading in KCoRhMoS<sub>2</sub>/MWCNT catalysts formulation

248th National Meeting (2014)

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Conversion of syngas to higher alcohols: Influence of bentonite clay as a binder and its variable loading in KCoRhMoS2/MWCNT catalysts formulation

Conversion of syngas to higher alcohols: Influence of bentonite clay as a binder and its variable loading in KCoRhMoS₂/MWCNT catalysts formulation