Synthesis of higher alcohols from syngas over Fischer–Tropsch elements modified K/β-Mo2C catalysts

Fischer–Tropsch elements (Fe, Co and Ni) modified K/β-Mo2C catalysts were prepared and investigated for their performance in CO hydrogenation. The results revealed that Ni or Co modified K/β-Mo2C catalysts were shown to be highly active and selective towards the synthesis of mixed alcohols, especially for the C2+OH production, but Fe caused a negative effect. Ni or Co led to a decrease in apparent activation energies for C1–C4 alcohols, whereas Fe caused a slight increase for methanol and the decrease for C2–C4 alcohols. As a result, the promotion effects of Fischer–Tropsch elements were different and followed the sequence: Ni ≫ Co > Fe for the activity and Ni > Co > Fe for the C2+OH alcohol selectivity.