Effect of calcination temperature of starch-modified silica on the performance of silica supported Cu catalyst in methanol conversion

A series of starch-modified SiO₂ (SSi-T) were obtained by calcining the extrudate of SiO₂ and starch at different temperatures (T) and used as the support to prepare Cu catalysts (Cu/SSi-T, 10%) by the impregnation method. The Cu catalysts were characterized by N₂ sorption, FT-IR, TG, XRD, SEM and H₂-TPR; their catalytic performance in methanol conversion was investigated in a fixed bed reactor. The results indicated that starch can reduce the removal rate of silanol groups (Si-OH) from the surface of the support during calcination and the surface silanol groups are beneficial to the dispersion of Cu species. The calcination temperature of starch-modified SiO₂ exhibits a significant influence on the surface silanol (Si-OH) concentration, the surface area and porous structure of the support; as a result, it may be used to adjust the size of supported CuO crystal grains and dispersion of Cu species, which determine the performance of the silica supported Cu catalysts in methanol conversion.