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Design and Synthesis of Copper–Cobalt Catalysts for the Selective Conversion of Synthesis Gas to Ethanol and Higher Alcohols
Author(s) -
Prieto Gonzalo,
Beijer Steven,
Smith Miranda L.,
He Ming,
Au Yuen,
Wang Zi,
Bruce David A.,
de Jong Krijn P.,
Spivey James J.,
de Jongh Petra E.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201402680
Subject(s) - catalysis , yield (engineering) , molybdate , copper , alloy , alcohol , cobalt , chemical engineering , chemistry , metal , materials science , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , metallurgy , engineering
Combining quantum‐mechanical simulations and synthesis tools allows the design of highly efficient CuCo/MoO x catalysts for the selective conversion of synthesis gas (CO+H 2 ) into ethanol and higher alcohols, which are of eminent interest for the production of platform chemicals from non‐petroleum feedstocks. Density functional theory calculations coupled to microkinetic models identify mixed Cu–Co alloy sites, at Co‐enriched surfaces, as ideal for the selective production of long‐chain alcohols. Accordingly, a versatile synthesis route is developed based on metal nanoparticle exsolution from a molybdate precursor compound whose crystalline structure isomorphically accommodates Cu 2+ and Co 2+ cations in a wide range of compositions. As revealed by energy‐dispersive X‐ray nanospectroscopy and temperature‐resolved X‐ray diffraction, superior mixing of Cu and Co species promotes formation of CuCo alloy nanocrystals after activation, leading to two orders of magnitude higher yield to high alcohols than a benchmark CuCoCr catalyst. Substantiating simulations, the yield to high alcohols is maximized in parallel to the CuCo alloy contribution, for Co‐rich surface compositions, for which Cu phase segregation is prevented.