Enhanced C2 oxygenate synthesis by CO hydrogenation over Rh-based catalyst supported on a novel SiO2

A novel SiO2 synthesized by the Stöber method was studied as the support for Rh–Mn–Li catalyst, and better performance for C2 oxygenate synthesis via CO hydrogenation was achieved compared with the counterpart using commercial SiO2 as the support. The investigation based on the catalytic performance and characterizations of the catalysts suggests that the hydroxyl–metal interaction over the catalyst supported on SiO2 prepared by the Stöber method results in a change in the CO adsorption on Rh particles, which promotes the CO dissociation and CO insertion, leading to higher CO conversion and C2 oxygenate selectivity.

Graphical abstractA novel SiO2 synthesized by the Stöber method was studied as the support for Rh–Mn–Li catalyst, and its better performance for C2 oxygenate synthesis via CO hydrogenation was achieved compared with the counterpart using commercial SiO2 as the support.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► SiO2 synthesized by the Stöber method was studied as support for Rh-based catalyst. ► The hydroxyl–metal interaction over catalyst results in a change in CO adsorption. ► Promoted CO dissociation leads to a high CO conversion. ► Promoted CO insertion leads to a high C2 oxygenate selectivity.