Higher alcohols (C2+ alcohols), important raw materials, have been utilized as intermediates in the production of valuable goods. They are likewise broadly applied in different fields such as fuel, food, fine synthetic substances, drugs, and energy.
With the slow exhaustion of oil assets, the immediate blend of higher alcohols from syngas has turned into a supportable and potential cycle in view of its wide wellspring of unrefined components and high nuclear use. However, industrial use was limited by higher alcohols’ low yield.
The direct synthesis of higher alcohols from syngas and the highly selective production of higher alcohols from CO hydrogenation over synergistic iron carbide catalysts were recently realized by a research team led by Prof. Sun Jian and Prof. Ge Qingjie from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
“In mild circumstances, the suggested synergistic Ca-Fe series catalysts could achieve an oxygenate selectivity of 69.7 wt%, with an alcohols percentage of 86.4% in oxygenates. The overall oxygenates and alcohols selectivity surpassed previously reported catalyst results.”
Prof. Sun Jian and Prof. Ge Qingjie from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP)
This research was published in Chem Catalysis.
Prof. Sun stated, “The proposed synergistic Ca-Fe series catalysts could achieve an oxygenate selectivity of 69.7 wt% under mild conditions, in addition to the alcohol fraction of 86.4 % in oxygenates.” The total selectivity for alcohols and oxygenates was higher than that of previously reported catalysts.”
With various portrayals, the specialists found that the Ca stacking empowered the Ca-Fe impetus to have high surface iron carbides with a legitimate Fe2C/(Fe5C2+Fe3C) proportion. A synergistic effect with Fe2C (CO non-dissociative sites) could help the CO dissociative sites Fe5C2 and Fe3C produce higher alcohols.
As a result, the proper Fe2C/(Fe5C2+Fe3C) ratio helped to maintain a balance between CO’s dissociative and non-dissociative abilities. It also helped CO and CHx work together better to form the CHx-CO species, which in turn helped form higher alcohols.
Prof. Sun stated, “This study provides a new strategy for the design of catalysts in CO hydrogenation to higher alcohols” and “expands the understanding of the important role of Ca.”
More information: Qingjie Ge, Precisely synergistic synthesis of higher alcohols from syngas over iron carbides, Chem Catalysis (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.checat.2023.100584. www.cell.com/chem-catalysis/fu … 2667-1093(23)00091-X
