(579a) Preparation and Characterization of Co-Cu-Ga/ZrO2-Al2O3 Catalyst for Higher Alcohol Synthesis from Syngas

A series of highly dispersed mesoporous ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ supported CoCuGa catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation. The catalytic performance was investigated for the synthesis of higher alcohols from syngas. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts have been characterized by TG-DTA, XRD, BET, H₂-TPR. The experimental parameters, i.e., reaction temperature, pressure and space velocity were also studied for this reaction. The experiment has been optimized process conditions: temperature 300 °C, pressure 4.0 MPa, H₂/CO=2, and space velocity 1200 h^-1. The mesoporous ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ served as reactors to ensure alcohol products easily diffuse into/out of its pores, as well as prevented hotpot formation, thus avoiding the further hydrogenation to hydrocarbons. As a result, the CoCuGa/ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ catalyst showed the highest conversion of CO and selectivity of total alcohols and C₂⁺ alcohols. It was concluded that the catalytic performance was improved by adding Ga into the CoCu catalyst. Appropriate amount of Ga improved metal dispersion and CO uptake, thus leading to the enhancement of catalytic activity. This catalyst with significantly improved catalytic behavior can be potentially used in CO hydrogenation to produce higher alcohols.