Catalytic upgrading of ethanol to higher alcohols over nickel-modified Cu-LaO/AlO catalysts

• Published in: Catalysis science & technology 2023-01, Vol.13 (1), p.17-177
• Main Authors: He, Jinfeng, Li, Xiuzhen, Kou, Jianyao, Tao, Tingjie, Shen, Xinyue, Jiang, Dahao, Lin, Lili, Li, Xiaonian
• Format: Article
• ISSN: 2044-4753; 2044-4761
• DOI: 10.1039/d2cy01554d

A series of nickel and nickel free modified Cu-La 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 catalysts were prepared using a simple wetness impregnation method and applied for the catalytic upgrading of ethanol to higher alcohols. 56.7% ethanol conversion, 76.1% total selectivity to higher alcohols and 43.1% total yield thereof were achieved over the optimal 0.65%NiO-Cu-La 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 catalyst. The addition of an appropriate amount of NiO effectively promoted ethanol upgrading to higher alcohols by increasing the amount of surface Cu active species and optimizing the acid-base properties of Cu-based catalysts, thus obviously enhancing the dehydrogenation/hydrogenation capacity, as well as the activity of aldol condensation of the catalysts. This study will provide inspiration or direction for the design of more efficient Cu-based catalysts for the catalytic upgrading of ethanol. The addition of NiO remarkably improved the performance of Cu-based catalysts for ethanol upgrading to higher alcohols by increasing the total amount of Cu 0 , Cu + and Cu 2+ active species and optimized acid-base sites on the surface of the catalysts.