Synthesis of bioethanol from biomass-derived syngas over carbon nanotube/silica supported catalyst

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were functionalized with pyrogallol and used in a composite with silica as a support for a Cu-Co based catalyst. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and H 2 temperature programmed reduction. The effects of pyrogallol and the weight ratio of silica to MWNTs on the performance of the catalyst were studied in a fixed bed reactor. The increase of the amount of MWNTs in the catalyst support was found to favor decreased methanol production and increased production of C2+ alcohols. Using pyrogallol in catalyst preparation was also found to increase the production of C2+ alcohols. It was concluded that pyrogallol improves the distribution and uniformity of metal particles on the support, decreases the size of metal particles and increasing the rate of catalytic reduction. © 2012.