Dimethyl ether synthesis on the admixed catalysts of Cu-Zn-Al-M (M = Ga, La, Y, Zr) and γ-Al2O3: The role of modifier

Dimethyl ether synthesis has been conducted on the admixed catalysts of Cu based catalysts (for methanol synthesis) and γ-Al2O3 (for methanol dehydration). The Cu-Zn-Al-M (M = Ga, La, Y, Zr) hydrotalcite-like structures as catalyst precursors for methanol synthesis part of the admixed catalysts are synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The physico-chemical characteristics of the catalysts are analyzed by BET-surface area, XRD, TPR, SEM/EDS, XPS and N2O pulse chemisorption studies. DME synthesis experiments showed that the CO conversion and DME yield are linearly correlated with Cu metal surface areas of Cu based catalysts admixed with γ-Al2O3, indicating that methanol synthesis rate can control the overall DME synthesis rate. The yttrium-modified Cu-Zn-Al admixed catalysts showed the superior activity with a DME yield of 47.7% to other Cu-based catalysts. The reason may be attributed to the increase in Cu metal surface area by the addition of yttrium.

Graphical abstractDimethyl ether synthesis on the admixed catalysts of Cu-based and solid acid catalysts has been examined. The yttrium-modified Cu-Zn-Al admixed with γ-Al2O3 is superior in activity with a DME yield of 47.7% to other Cu-based catalysts. This high activity is attributed to the increase in Cu metal surface area by the addition of yttrium.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide