Effect of supports on performance of Cu–Fe based catalysts for higher alcohols synthesis from syngas

In this study, a series of Cu–Fe based catalysts with Cr, Ni promoters and different supporters [activated carbon (AC), attapulgite (ATP), carbon nanotubes (CNTs)] were prepared by the co-precipitation method. The structure and surface properties of the catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CO temperature-programmed desorption (CO-TPD), H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The catalysts were examined in a fixed bed for their ability to selectively convert syngas into higher alcohols. Results showed that CuFeCrNi/CNTs catalyst had the higher Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area (132.22 m2 g−1) and Cu–Fe alloy nanoparticle highly dispersed on the CNTs surface. Thus, the catalyst possessed the higher CO conversion (44.28%), excellent selectivity to higher alcohols (46.0%), and C2+OH/CH3OH reached 1.36 in the liquid product,which turned out to be one of the best catalysts for higher alcohol synthesis.