Influence of copper precursors in the steam reforming of methanol over Cu/SnO2/SiO2 catalysts

Cu/SnO₂/SiO₂ catalysts, prepared with three different copper precursors (copper nitrate, sulfate and chloride), were characterized and investigated for the steam reforming of methanol. Cu/SnO₂/SiO₂ catalyst, prepared with copper nitrate, showed the highest activity among the tested catalysts. The highest activity of the catalyst prepared with copper nitrate was ascribed to the highly dispersed Cu particles from CO adsorption experiment. The selectivity of methanol to H₂ decreased with an increase in the amount of acid on the surface of Cu/SnO₂/SiO₂ catalysts from FT-IR experiments.This revised version was published online in December 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Direct Oxidation of Methane to Methanol Over Cu-Based Catalyst in an AC Dielectric Barrier Discharge

In this paper, the conversion of methane to methanol on CuO/Al₂O₃ and Mo–CuO/Al₂O₃ catalysts in a plasma reactor was tested. A comparison between catalytic and plasma-catalytic systems had been made in tested temperature range of 50–300°C. Experimental results showed that plasma-catalytic system demonstrated a much better methane conversion than catalytic system in tested temperature range and Mo–CuO/Al₂O₃ revealed a higher catalytic activity than CuO/Al₂O₃ for methanol synthesis. Furthermore, an Arrhenius plot was made in order to deduce the mechanism of plasma activation, which revealed that the presence of plasma decreased the activation energy for both catalysts. In the case of Mo-CuO/Al₂O₃ catalyst, the enhanced activity for methanol synthesis was assumed due to the oxygen vacancies on Mo–CuO/Al₂O₃ catalyst, which can utilize plasma-induced species to improve the catalytic efficiency.     

Methanol synthesis from CO2-H2 and from CO-H2 under atmospheric pressure over Pd and Cu catalysts

Under atmospheric pressure, methanol was produced from CO₂–H₂ over Pd/ZnO and from CO–H₂ over Pd/MgO catalyst. Similar support effects were observed over Cu catalysts.     

CO Oxidation on Planar Au/TiO2 Model Catalysts under Realistic Conditions: A Combined Kinetic and IR Study

The oxidation of CO on planar Au/TiO₂ model catalysts was investigated under pressure and temperature conditions similar to those for experiments with more realistic Au/TiO₂ powder catalysts. The effects of a change of temperature, pressure, and gold coverage on the CO oxidation activity were studied. Additionally, the reasons for the deactivation of the catalysts were examined in long-term experiments. From kinetic measurements, the activation energy and the reaction order for the CO oxidation reaction were derived and a close correspondence with results of powder catalysts was found, although the overall turnover frequency (TOF) measured in our experiments was around one order of magnitude lower compared to results of powder catalysts under similar conditions. Furthermore, long-term experiments at 80 °C showed a decrease of the activity of the model catalysts after some hours. Simultaneous in-situ IR experiments revealed a decrease of the signal intensity of the CO vibration band, while the tendency for the build-up of side products (e. g. carbonates, carboxylates) of the CO oxidation reaction on the surface of the planar model catalysts was rather low.     

Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur katalytischen Aktivität von Nickel und kristallinen Nickelboriden sowie RANEY-Nickel und borhaltigem RANEY-Nickel: Hydrierungs- und Dehydrierungsreaktionen,elektrochemische Methanoloxydation

The catalytic activation of the decomposition of gaseous formic acid with nickel powder and crystalline nickel borides is compared. Only after treatment with NH₃-solution the activity of the nickel borides has the same order as that of nickel powder. Ni₃B is the best of the catalysts used. The crystalline nickel borides cannot catalyze the anodic oxydation of methanol in alcaline solution at 80°C. — Nickel catalysts containing Boron can be prepared by the RANEY method from nickel boride and aluminum. These catalysts have the same activity as normal RANEY nickel with respect to the hydrogenation of the C?C? bond in crotonic acid; they are more active with respect to the C?O? bond of acetone. Methanol can be oxydised fastly in alcaline solution at 80°C on electrodes containing RANEY nickel. RANEY nickel containing boron is still better.     

In situ infrared study of formate reactivity on water–gas shift and methanol synthesis catalysts

In order to investigate the methanol synthesis reaction from CO₂/H₂, a comparative study of the reactivity of formate species on different types of catalysts and catalyst supports has been carried out. Formic acid was adsorbed on water–gas shift catalysts, Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ methanol synthesis catalyst and ZnO/Al₂O₃ support, Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂ and Cu/ZnO/CeO₂ methanol synthesis catalysts as well as their corresponding supports ZnO/ZrO₂ and ZnO/CeO₂. Superior reactivity and selectivity of dedicated methanol synthesis catalysts was evidenced by their behavior during the subsequent heating ramp, when these samples showed the simultaneous presence of formates and methoxy species and a higher stability of these reaction intermediates in the usual temperature range for the methanol synthesis reaction.     

Activity–Structure Correlation of Pt/Ru Catalysts for the Electrodecomposition of Methanol: The Importance of RuO2 and PtRu Alloying

Bimetallic catalysts: The effect of PtRu alloying and the influence of RuO₂ species on the methanol oxidation activity of PtRu/C catalysts is studied. Different heat treatments—utilizing either N₂ or air—are applied to the bimetallic materials to enhance the degree of alloying or produce RuO₂ (see picture). The catalysts with the best performance are characterized by a small particle size, a high degree of PtRu alloying, and the presence of a Pt‐related species on their surface.

     

Increased promotion by deposition of Co acetylacetonate over sulphided Mo/TiO2 hydrodesulphurization catalyst

CoMo/TiO₂ catalysts prepared by deposition of Co acetylacetonate on presulphided Mo/TiO₂ catalyst in methanol exhibited higher promotion of hydrodesulphurization activity than catalysts prepared by conventional impregnation of Mo/TiO₂ by a solution of Co nitrate.     

Promoted ternary CuO-ZrO2-Al2O3 catalysts for methanol synthesis

Ternary CuO-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ catalysts promoted by palladium or gold were prepared and tested in CO hydrogenation reaction at 260°C under elevated pressure (4.8 MPa). The promotion effect of palladium or gold addition on the physicochemical and catalytical properties of CuO-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ catalysts in methanol synthesis (MS) was studied. The catalysts were characterized by BET, XRD, TPR-H₂, TPD-NH₃ methods. The BET results showed that the ternary system CuO-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ had the largest specific surface area, cumulative pore volume and average pore size in comparison with the promoted catalysts. The yield of methanol can be given through the following sequence: 5%Pd/CuO-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ > CuO-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ > 2%Au/CuO-ZrO₂-Al₂O₃. We also found that the presence of gold or palladium on catalyst surface has strong influence on the reaction selectivity. The high selectivity of gold doped ternary catalyst is explained by the gold-oxide interface sites created on the catalyst surface and the acidity of those systems. The higher selectivity to methanol in the case of the palladium catalyst is explained by the spillover effect between Pd and CuO.      

Catalytic methanol decomposition to carbon monoxide and hydrogen over Pd/CeO2-ZrO2-La2O3 with different Ce/Zr molar ratios

The catalytic behaviors of Pd (1.4 wt%) catalysts supported on CeO₂-ZrO₂-La₂O₃ mixed oxides with different Ce/Zr molar ratios were investigated for methanol decomposition. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), H₂ temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Pd dispersion analysis were used for their characterization. Pd/Ce_0.76Zr_0.18 La_0.06O_1.97 catalyst showed the highest BET surface area, best Pd dispersion capability and strongest metal-support interaction. Moreover, XPS showed that there was lattice defect oxygen or mobile oxygen. According to the result of O 1s measurements the lattice defect oxygen or mobile oxygen helped to maintain Pd in a partly oxidized state and increased the activity for methanol decomposition. The Pd/Ce_0.76Zr_0.18La_0.06O_1.97 catalyst exhibited the best activity. A 100% conversion of methanol was achieved at around 260 °C, which was about 20-40 °C lower than other catalysts     

AlPO4?Al2O3 catalysts with low alumina content, VII. Anisole conversion in the presence of methanol

The conversion of anisole in the presence of methanol (anisole/methanol molar ratio=4) over AlPO₄–Al₂O₃ (5–15 wt.% Al₂O₃) catalysts gave a mixture of dealkylated and C-alkylated products (C-alkylation preferentially inortho-position) in which dealkylation to phenol always predominated. The catalytic activity, which increased with alumina content and decreased on increasing the calcination temperature from 773 to 1073 K, was fairly well related to the change in surface acidic characteristics. Furthermore, anisole conversion followed the requirements of the Bassett-Habgood kinetic treatment for first order processes, with a single common interaction mechanism and, consequently, a common transition state for all catalysts. Poisoning by pyridine and 2,6-dimethylpyridine confirmed that anisole conversion occurs on acid sites.     

Efficiency of Zn/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst operation in a microchannel reactor in methanol steam reforming

The activity of a Zn/TiO₂ catalyst deposited on metal microchannel plates in methanol steam reforming was studied. The catalyst exhibited maximum activity upon deposition on microchannel plates made of copper foam. In this case, the specific hydrogen production of a microreactor at 450°C was 78.6 l (g Cat)^?1 h^?1. The catalysts deposited on a microchannel plate of nickel foam and on corrugated brass foil exhibited lower activity because of the lower efficiency of heat transfer to the reaction zone. A correlation between the thermal conductivity of the microchannel plate material and the activity of the catalyst was observed in the following order: copper, brass, and nickel. The kinetic parameters of the process of methanol steam reforming in a microreactor were calculated with the use of a plug-flow reactor model. In this case, the calculated formal activation energy of 132 kJ/mol was independent of the microchannel plate material. A comparison of the equilibrium concentrations of reaction products at the reactor outlet, which were calculated from thermodynamic data, with the experimental data demonstrated that methanol steam reforming at a temperature higher than 400°C occurred in the nonequilibrium region. The concentration of carbon monoxide at the microreactor outlet was lower than 1 mol %, which is lower than the equilibrium concentration by one order of magnitude. This effect was attributed to the suppression of the reversed water gas shift reaction on the catalyst.     

Development of high performance Cu/ZnO-based catalysts for methanol synthesis and the water-gas shift reaction

Our groups studies on Cu/ZnO-based catalysts for methanol synthesis via hydrogenation of CO₂ and for the water-gas shift reaction are reviewed. Effects of ZnO contained in supported Cu-based catalysts on their activities for several reactions were investigated. The addition of ZnO to Cu-based catalyst supported on Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ or SiO₂ improved its specific activity for methanol synthesis and the reverse water-gas shift reaction, but did not improve its specific activity for methanol steam reforming and the water-gas shift reaction. Methanol synthesis from CO₂ and H₂ over Cu/ZnO-based catalysts was extensively studied under a joint research project between National Institute for Resources and Environment (NIRE; one of the former research institutes reorganized to AIST) and Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE). It was suggested that methanol should be produced via the hydrogenation of CO₂, but not via the hydrogenation of CO, and that H₂O produced along with methanol should greatly suppress methanol synthesis. The Cu/ZnO-based multicomponent catalysts such as Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ and Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃/Ga₂O₃ were highly active for methanol synthesis from CO₂ and H₂. The addition of a small amount of colloidal silica to the multicomponent catalysts greatly improved their long-term stability during methanol synthesis from CO₂ and H₂. The purity of the crude methanol produced in a bench plant was 99.9 wt% and higher than that of the crude methanol from a commercial methanol synthesis from syngas. The water-gas shift reaction over Cu/ZnO-based catalysts was also studied. The activity of Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst for the water-gas shift reaction at 523 K was less affected by the pre-treatments such as calcination and treatment in H₂ at high temperatures than that of the Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Accordingly, the Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst was considered to be more suitable for practical use for the water-gas shift reaction. The Cu/ZnO/ZrO₂/Al₂O₃ catalyst was also highly active for the water-gas shift reaction at 673 K. Furthermore, a two-stage reaction system composed of the first reaction zone for the water-gas shift reaction at 673 K and the second reaction zone for the reaction at 523 K was found to be more efficient than a one-stage reaction system. The addition of a small amount of colloidal silica to a Cu/ZnO-based catalyst greatly improved its long-term stability in the water-gas shift reaction in a similar manner as in methanol synthesis from CO₂ and H₂.     

The effect of spinel type support FeAlO<Subscript>3</Subscript>, ZnAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>, CrAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> on physicochemical properties of Cu,Ag, Au,Ru supported catalysts for methanol synthesis

The comparative study of the role of binary oxide support on catalyst physico-chemical properties and performance in methanol synthesis were undertaken and the spinel like type structures (ZnAl₂O₄, FeAlO₃, CrAl₃O₆) were prepared and used as the supports for 5% metal (Cu, Ag, Au, Ru) dispersed catalysts. The monometallic 5% Cu/support and bimetallic 1% Au (or 1% Ru)-5% Cu/support (Al₂O₃, ZnAl₂O₄, FeAlO₃, CrAl₃O₆) catalysts were investigated by BET, XRD and TPR methods. Activity tests in methanol synthesis of CO and CO₂ mixture hydrogenation were carried out. The order of Cu/support catalysts activity in methanol synthesis: CrAl₃O{ia6} > FeAlO₃ > ZnAl₂O₄ is conditioned by their reducibility in hydrogen at low temperature. Gold appeared more efficient than ruthenium in promotion of Cu/support catalysts. Published in Russian in Kinetika i Kataliz, 2009, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 242–248. The article is published in the original.     

Untersuchungen an katalytisch aktiven Oberflächenverbindungen. XIII. Struktur und katalytische Eigenschaften von Molybdän-oxid/SiO2-Katalysatoren

Studies on Catalytically Active Surface Compounds. XIII. Structure and Catalytic Properties of Molybdenum Oxide/SiO₂ Catalysts The catalytic properties of Mo oxide/SiO₂ catalysts in the selective oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde are described. It is shown that, independently on the preparation conditions, all catalysts showed relative high activity and selectivity values which were however, not constant during the reaction time. The high initial activity could be stabilized to a limited extent both by prereduction with methanol (but not with hydrogen) and by decreasing the oxygen concentration of the reaction gas. ESR measurements showed that in dependence on the means of reduction (methanol or hydrogen) two different coordinated Mo⁵⁺ ions were formed. Evidence was given by IR spectroscopy that prereduction in methanol caused the formation of methoxy groups stabilizing catalytically active Mo⁵⁺ ions. UV-Vis, ESCA, and electron microscopic measurements showed however, that further aggregation and formation of microcrystallites of MoO₃ took place during the catalytic reaction which caused the observed decrease of the activity.     

Carbon dioxide conversion to dimethyl carbonate: The effect of silica as support for SnO2 and ZrO2 catalysts

Abundant in nature, CO₂ poses few health hazards and consequently is a promising alternative to phosgene feedstock according with the principles of Green Chemistry and Engineering. The synthesis organic carbonates from CO₂ instead of phosgene is highly challenging as CO₂ is much less reactive. As part of our ongoing research on the investigation of catalysts for dimethyl carbonate (DMC) synthesis from methanol and CO₂, we herein report results aimed at comparing the catalytic behavior of new SnO₂-based catalysts with that of ZrO₂. Silica-supported SnO₂ and ZrO₂ exhibit turnover numbers which are an order of magnitude higher than those of the unsupported oxides. Tin-based catalysts also promote methanol dehydration which makes them less selective than the zirconium analogues. Last but not least, comparison with soluble Bu₂Sn(OCH₃)₂ highlights the superiority of the organometallic precursor for achieving 100% selectivity to DMC but it deactivates by intermolecular rearrangement into polynuclear tin species.     

UV-light induced photodegradation of bisphenol a in water: Kinetics and influencing factors

The synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from methanol and ethylene carbonate (EC) without using any solvent was investigated in the presence of ionic liquids as catalysts. The conversion of ethylene carbonate was affected by the structure of ionic liquid. For a series of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids, the one with shorter alkyl chain and the one with more nucleophilic anion showed higher reactivity. The conversion of EC also increased with CO₂ pressure and reaction temperature. Esterification of EC and methanol can be considered as a pseudo-first order reaction with respect to EC concentration. The activation energy was estimated as 50.1 kJ/mol.     

负载型CuO/TiO2催化剂催化CO2加氢制甲醇

采用浸渍法制备了CuO/TiO₂负载型催化剂,并将其用于CO₂加氢制甲醇反应。重点考察了铜的负载量对催化剂性能的影响,并对其物化性能和催化性能之间的关系进行了讨论。结果发现,随着铜负载量的增加,催化剂中金属铜的比表面先增加后减小,当铜的负载量为10%（质量百分数）时达到最大值。催化剂的表面碱性位数量随铜含量的增加持续减小,中等碱位和强碱位的强度下降。当铜的负载量不高于10%时,CO₂的转化率与铜的比表面积呈线性关系。甲醇选择性与催化剂的表面碱位性质有关,过强的碱性位会降低甲醇选择性。     

Influence of the thermal treatment conditions and composition of bimetallic catalysts Fe—Pd/SiO2 on the catalytic properties in phenylacetylene hydrogenation

The supported bimetallic Fe—Pd/SiO₂ catalysts with the different Fe (0.025—8 mass.%) and Pd (0.05—3.2 mass.%) loadings were synthesized by the incipient wetness impregnation of support. The samples were heat-treated under different conditions (calcination in air at 240—350 °C or reduction in an H₂ flow at 400 °C). The X-ray phase analysis revealed the formation of Pd⁰, α-Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ phases after calcination of the samples at 240—260 °C. The reduction of the calcined Fe—Pd samples in an H₂ flow at 400 °C enables the formation of Fe⁰ nanoparticles of size 17—20 nm. The synthesized catalytic systems were studied in the selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in a solvent (ethanol, propanol). The catalytic properties of the Fe—Pd catalysts depend on the nature of solvent, catalyst composition, and thermal treatment conditions. The application of the Fe—Pd bimetallic catalysts with a low Pd loading of 0.05—0.1 mass.% made it possible to reach the high activity and selectivity to styrene (91%) at the complete conversion of phenylacetylene.     

Methanol Synthesis at a Wide Range of H2/CO2 Ratios over a Rh-In Bimetallic Catalyst

There is increasing interest in capturing H₂ generated from renewables with CO₂ to produce methanol. However, renewable hydrogen production is expensive and in limited quantity compared to CO₂. Excess CO₂ and limited H₂ in the feedstock gas is not favorable for CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol, causing low activity and poor methanol selectivity. Now, a class of Rh-In catalysts with optimal adsorption properties to the intermediates of methanol production is presented. The Rh-In catalyst can effectively catalyze methanol synthesis but inhibit the reverse water-gas shift reaction under H₂-deficient gas flow and shows the best competitive methanol productivity under industrially applicable conditions in comparison with reported values. This work demonstrates a strong potential of Rh-In bimetallic composition, from which a convenient methanol synthesis based on flexible feedstock compositions (such as H₂/CO₂ from biomass derivatives) with lower energy cost can be established.