Properties of Cu-Co Composite Catalysts for Synthesis of Aliphatic Alcohols

Cu-Co-containing cellulose-based carbon composite materials (Cu-Co/Cel) were formed by a matrix isolation method. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared-Fourier spectroscopy (IR-Fourier spectroscopy), and non-isothermal research methods, the physicochemical properties of the composites were established. The catalysts are nanosized particles distributed in a carbon matrix, containing fragments of a system of conjugated bonds (C=C-C=C) of various lengths. Cu-Co/Cel catalysts are active in the synthesis of alcohols from CO and H₂, demonstrating high CO conversion (68%) and specific activity (17 mol CO g_Me^-1 s^-1). Differences in the mechanism of alcohol formation from CO and H₂ on cellulose-based composites and an oxide support (comparison catalyst) were shown by analyzing the distribution of synthesis products.

Keywords:
dispersed phase catalysis; composite materials; IR-Fourier spectroscopy; in situ magnetometry; nanosized Cu-Co catalysts; production of alcohols from synthesis gas