Synthesis of bioethanol from biomass-derived syngas over carbon nanotube/silica supported catalyst

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were functionalized with pyrogallol and used in a composite with silica as a support for a Cu-Co based catalyst. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and H(2) temperature programmed reduction. The effects of pyrogallol and the weight ratio of silica to MWNTs on the performance of the catalyst were studied in a fixed bed reactor. The increase of the amount of MWNTs in the catalyst support was found to favor decreased methanol production and increased production of C2+ alcohols. Using pyrogallol in catalyst preparation was also found to increase the production of C2+ alcohols. It was concluded that pyrogallol improves the distribution and uniformity of metal particles on the support, decreases the size of metal particles and increasing the rate of catalytic reduction.