Catalytic synthesis of methanol from CO/H/sub 2/. I. Phase composition, electronic properties, and activity of the Cu/ZnO/M/sub 2/O/sub 3/ catalysts

Conference · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Prepr., Div. Pet. Chem., Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6715442

Herman, R G ^[1]; Klier, K; Simmons, G W; Finn, B P; Bulko, J B; Kobylinski, T P

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1. Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA

The catalytic activity of the low pressure Cu/ZnO/Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ or Cr/sub 2/O/sub 3/ catalysts for methanol synthesis resides in the Cu/ZnO system. No special pore distribution or presence of crystalline phases such as spinels is necessary for selectivity to methanol. The Cu/ZnO system stabilizes a black substance which has been identified as a Cu/sup I/ solution in ZnO. A synthesis mechanism is proposed whereby the Cu/sup I/ centers chemisorb and activate carbon monoxide and the ZnO surface activates hydrogen. Catalyst deactivation in the CO/H/sub 2/ mixture is explained as the reduction of Cu/sup I/ to inactive copper metal, and the promotion effect of O/sub 2/, H/sub 2/O, and CO/sub 2/ as a maintenance of oxidation potential high enough to keep the copper in the active Cu/sup I/ state. Poisoning by hydrogen sulfide and HCl is attributed to irreversible heteropolar chemisorption of H/sub 2/S and HCl with blocking of the Cu/sup I/ centers by the SH/sup -/ and Cl/sup -/ groups. 4 tables, 11 figs., 58 references.

• OSTI ID: 6715442
• Report Number(s): CONF-780305-P1
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Prepr., Div. Pet. Chem., Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 23:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

090221* -- Alcohol Fuels-- Chemical Synthesis-- (1976-1989)
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
ALCOHOLS
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISORPTION
CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS
CHROMIUM OXIDES
COPPER ALLOYS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROGEN
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
METHANOL
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REACTION KINETICS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
SYNTHESIS
SYNTHESIS GAS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
ZINC COMPOUNDS
ZINC OXIDES