Properties of Cu-Co Composite Catalysts for Synthesis of Aliphatic Alcohols

Cu-Co-containing cellulose-based carbon composite materials (Cu-Co/Cel) were formed by a matrix isolation method. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared-Fourier spectroscopy (IR-Fourier spectroscopy), and non-isothermal research methods, the physicochemical properties of the composites were established. The catalysts are nanosized particles distributed in a carbon matrix, containing fragments of a system of conjugated bonds (C=C-C=C) of various lengths. Cu-Co/Cel catalysts are active in the synthesis of alcohols from CO and H2, demonstrating high CO conversion (68%) and specific activity (17 mol CO gMe-1 s-1). Differences in the mechanism of alcohol formation from CO and H2 on cellulose-based composites and an oxide support (comparison catalyst) were shown by analyzing the distribution of synthesis products.