Mo-Co-K Sulfide-Based Catalysts Promoted by Rare Earth Salts for Selective Synthesis of Ethanol and Mixed Alcohols from Syngas

Abstract Mo–Co–K sulfide-based catalysts promoted by rare earth metal salts (La, Ce, and Y) were prepared by an ultrasonic technology in a non-aqueous medium. The catalytic performance for the selective synthesis of ethanol and mixed alcohols from syngas was evaluated and compared with that of the unpromoted catalyst Mo–Co–K. Under the reaction conditions of 3.0 MPa, 330°C, H 2 /CO(V/V) = 2.0, and GHSV = 2225 h −1 , the CO conversion and ethanol distribution over the La-promoted catalyst were 17.2% and 53.4%, respectively. The results of SEM, TEM, XRD, Raman, and XPS characterization indicated that the morphology and electronic structure of the catalysts changed, and the CO conversion and ethanol distribution increased after the addition of rare earth promoters.