Effect of the source of Cu on the structure and performance of Cu-Zn-Al catalysts prepared by complete liquid-phase technology

Three kinds of Cu-Zn-Al slurry catalysts were prepared respectively with copper citrate, copper nitrate and copper acetate as the source of copper by complete liquid-phase technology. The effects of different sources of copper on the catalytic performance of dimethyl ether synthesis from syngas were investigated. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, H₂-TPR, NH₃-TPD, BET, XPS and TEM. The results indicated that the texture morphology and catalytic performance of the catalysts varied significantly. The catalyst prepared with copper citrate showed the best dispersion of Cu species in the catalyst and the largest amount of reducable substance. Meanwhile, the Cu species have strongest interaction with other components. Copper citrate increased the ratio of the amount of weak acid and strong acid on the surface of catalysts, and also improved the performance of the catalyst for methanol dehydration. So the catalytic performance of the catalyst pre-pared with copper citrate was the best. The conversion of CO was 63.4% and the DME selectivity was 66.0%.