Copper–cobalt catalysts supported on mechanically mixed HZSM-5 and γ-Al(2)O(3) for higher alcohols synthesis via carbon monoxide hydrogenation

Mechanically mixed γ-Al(2)O(3) 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 γ-Al(2)O(3) supported copper–cobalt catalysts were superior to either γ-Al(2)O(3) or HZSM-5 supported ones with the same metal loading. The results revealed that using HZSM-5 and γ-Al(2)O(3) 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 °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 γ-Al(2)O(3) 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% γ-Al(2)O(3), the CO conversion was 21.3% and the C(2+) alcohol selectivity was 41.8%.