MCM-41 supported CuO/Bi2O3 nanoparticles as potential catalyst for 1,4-butynediol synthesis

CuO/Bi2O3 (CuO/Bi2O3/MCM-41) nanoparticles supported on MCM-41 were synthesized by a facile impregnation method. The products were characterized by nitrogen adsorption/desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), H2 temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD patterns indicated the presence of crystalline CuO and Bi2O3 phase for CuO/Bi2O3/MCM-41 catalyst. TPR results revealed CuO nanoparticles were dispersed well on MCM-41. SEM results showed that the nanoparticles were located on the MCM-41. The activity of the catalysts towards ethynylation of formaldehyde for 1,4-butynediol synthesis was evaluated at atmospheric pressure. Compared with unsupported CuO/Bi2O3 and commercial Cu/Bi-based catalyst, CuO/Bi2O3/MCM-41 catalyst showed maximum conversion (51%) and selectivity (94%) towards 1,4-butynediol. The results show that CuO/Bi2O3 catalysts supported on MCM-41 have potential for 1,4-butynediol synthesis in industrial application.