CuCo alloy nanonets derived from CuCo2O4 spinel oxides for higher alcohols synthesis from syngas

Porous CuCo alloy nanonets were fabricated via structural topological transformation of CuCo2O4 spinel precursors prepared by a facile hydrothermal–calcination method. Their structural properties together with catalytic performance for higher alcohol synthesis (HAS) from syngas were systematically investigated. Characterization results demonstrated that Cu and Co atoms were uniformly distributed in the alloy nanonets without phase separation. Furthermore, the CuCo homogenized alloy nanonets were rich in surface defects, such as grains, steps and pores. The catalytic results of HAS showed that the CuCo alloy nanonets presented a high CO conversion of 66.5%, a C2+OH selectivity in total alcohols of 92.3 wt% and a space time yield (STY) of 228.2 g kgcat−1 h−1 for C2+OH. Compared with CuCo nanoparticle counterparts made by a conventional impregnation method, the CuCo alloy nanonets showed superior catalytic performance toward HAS. This work provides a novel strategy for the rational design of bimetallic alloy catalysts.