Effect of iron on ZrO2-based catalysts for direct synthesis of isobutanol from syngas

Direct conversion of syngas (H-2/CO) to isobutanol is a promising route for clean coal combustion. However, there are still many challenges in the catalyst system of isobutanol synthesis, such as low CO conversion and alcohol yield. In this paper, we introduce Fe component with strong chain increasing ability into CuZrO2-based catalyst to modify it, which significantly improved the CO conversion and total alcohol space-time yield (STY). The results of the characterization showed that the introduction of Fe increased the specific surface area of the catalyst, promoted the dispersion of components, and enhanced the interaction between Cu and ZrO2. The KFe0.013CuZrO2 catalyst surface possessed the most amount of weakly adsorbed CO and basic sites, which were conductive for C-2 intermediate formation and aldol-condensation reaction respectively. Thus, it exhibited a CO conversion of 48.6%, a selectivity of 21.8(wt)% and a space time yield (STY) of 202 g.L-cat(-1).h(-1) total alcohols.

Automated summary

Introducing Fe component into the CuZrO2-based catalyst effectively improved the CO conversion and total alcohol space-time yield. This was achieved by increasing the specific surface area of the catalyst, promoting the dispersion of components, and enhancing the interaction between Cu and ZrO2.