Perovskite-derived trimetallic Co-Ni-Cu catalyst for higher alcohol synthesis from syngas

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. Trimetallic Co-Ni-Cu catalyst from perovskite precursor was prepared by co-precipitation method and then examined for its ability to form higher alcohols from syngas. A superior C2+OH yield of 142.1 mg·gcat.−1·h−1 was achieved at 315 °C, H2/CO = 2, P = 3.0 MPa and GHSV of 10,995 ml·gcat−1·h−1, which was almost two times higher than that obtained with monometallic Co and bimetallic Co[sbnd]Ni perovskite catalysts. The addition of Cu alters the electronic interactions with the Co and Ni species, thereby promoting the reduction of perovskite catalysts and forming Co-Ni-Cu alloy after reduction. It was found that the substitution of Cu facilitated the formation of Co2C species during the reaction. Both Co-Ni-Cu alloy and Co2C species were observed in the spent catalyst, suggesting that the formation of Co-Ni-Cu alloy and Co-Co2C interface play key roles in the improvement of higher alcohol formation