Preparation of copper-iron bimodal pore catalyst and its performance for higher alcohols synthesis

A multi-functional silica–silica bimodal pore catalyst support was prepared from silica sol and silica gel, which presented two kinds of main pores. Compared to the original silica gel, the obtained bimodal support had the enlarged surface area and decreased pore volume. This kind of bimodal pore support was applied firstly in higher alcohols synthesis, where both the copper and iron elements were supported as active sites. The bimodal pore catalyst exhibited favorite catalytic activity and high selectivity of C2+OH, due to the well dispersion of active metal sites and high diffusion efficiency of products inside the bimodal pore structures.

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► A multi-functional silica-silica bimodal pore support was prepared.
► Larger and smaller nanometer-sized pores coexisted in the bimodal derived catalyst.
► The bimodal catalyst presented favorite activity for higher alcohols synthesis.
► The bimodal catalyst presented high selectivity of C2 + OH.