Ethanol synthesis from syngas over Cu/Zn/Al-B catalysts: The promoting effect of boron

• Published in: Energy sources. Part A, Recovery, utilization, and environmental effects Vol. 38; no. 16; pp. 2383 - 2389
• Main Authors: Li, J., Gao, Z.-H., Li, S.-J., Zuo, Z.-J., Huang, W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01-01-2016
• Subjects: Aluminum; B promoter; Catalysis; Catalysts; complete liquid-phase technology; Copper; Cu/Zn/Al catalysts; Ethanol; Ethyl alcohol; syngas; Synthesis (chemistry); Synthetic fuels
• ISSN: 1556-7036; 1556-7230
• DOI: 10.1080/15567036.2015.1057656

Ethanol synthesis from syngas was studied over Cu/Zn/Al catalysts promoted with different B contents using the complete liquid-phase technology. It is found that ethanol selectivity is strongly influenced by B content. When the B content is 6.0 wt%, the ethanol selectivity is the highest (37.6%). The characterization results indicated that a suitable B promoter prevents the growth of copper particles, strengthens the interaction between Cu and Al or Zn species, increases the relative amount of Cu
2
O on the catalysts surface, and keeps the balance of Cu
+
-Cu°.