Effect of copper content on Cu–Mn–Zn/zeolite-Y catalysts for the synthesis of dimethyl ether from syngas

The activity of Cu–Mn–Zn/zeolite-Y catalysts for dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis from syngas can be affected by the content of copper in the catalyst. The appropriate ratio of Cu/(Cu + Mn + Zn) for catalyst activity was above 0.6, and the conversion of CO and the selectivity of DME reached 78% and 67%, respectively, under the reaction conditions of 2.0 MPa, 250 °C, 1500 h−1. The results of catalyst characterization by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature- programmed desorption (TPD) showed that the excess CuO in conjunction with mixed oxide was easier reduction, much more beneficial to the activation of CO at lower temperature and higher catalytic activity for DME synthesis.