Effect of Hydroxyl Groups on CuCoMg Nanosheets for Ethanol and Higher Alcohol Synthesis from Syngas

Trace Ionic Liquid-Assisted Orientational Growth of Cu2 O (110) Facets Promote CO2 Electroreduction to C2 Products

Cu2 O has great advantages for CO2 electroreduction to C2 products, of which the activity and selectivity are closely related to its crystal facets. In this work, density functional theory calculation indicated that the (110) facets of Cu2 O had a lower energy barrier for the C-C coupling compared to the (100) and (111) facets. Therefore, Cu2 O(110) facets were successfully synthesized with the assistance of trace amounts of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ([Bmim]BF4 ) by a sample wet-chemical method. A high faradaic efficiency of 71.1 % and a large current density of 265.1 mA cm-2 toward C2 H4 and C2 H5 OH were achieved at -1.1 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) in a flow cell. The in situ and electrochemical analysis indicated that it possessed the synergy effects of strong adsorption of *CO2 and *CO, large active area, and excellent conductivity. This study provided a new way to enhance the C2 selectivity of CO2 electroreduction on Cu2 O by crystal structure engineering.

Recent advances in the routes and catalysts for ethanol synthesis from syngas

Ethanol, as one of the important bulk chemicals, is widely used in modern society. It can be produced by fermentation of sugar, petroleum refining, or conversion of syngas (CO/H₂). Among these approaches, conversion of syngas to ethanol (STE) is the most environmentally friendly and economical process. Although considerable progress has been made in STE conversion, control of CO activation and C-C growth remains a great challenge. This review highlights recent advances in the routes and catalysts employed in STE technology. The catalyst designs and pathway designs are summarized and analysed for the direct and indirect STE routes, respectively. In the direct STE routes (i.e., one-step synthesis of ethanol from syngas), modified catalysts of methanol synthesis, modified catalysts of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, Mo-based catalysts, noble metal catalysts and multifunctional catalysts are systematically reviewed based on their catalyst designs. Further, in the indirect STE routes (i.e., multi-step processes for ethanol synthesis from syngas via methanol/dimethyl ether as intermediates), carbonylation of methanol/dimethyl ether followed by hydrogenation, and coupling of methanol with CO to form dimethyl oxalate followed by hydrogenation, are outlined according to their pathway designs. The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive perspective on STE technology and inspire the invention of new catalysts and pathway designs in the near future.

Low-Medium Temperature-Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3 over a Mn/Co-MOF-74 Catalyst

To realize the selective catalytic reduction of NO at low-medium temperatures and avoid secondary pollution, a highly active catalyst Mn/Co-MOF-74 was synthesized. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, and scanning electron microscopy were employed to analyze the physicochemical properties of catalysts with different Mn/Co molar ratios and conjecture about the difference in the catalytic activity. Meanwhile, the effects of the molar ratio of Mn/Co, catalyst dosage, catalyst synthesis conditions, GHSV, and temperature on the NO conversion efficiencies were investigated and found that an optimal NO conversion efficiency of 93.5% was obtained at 200-225 °C. In the end, the stability of Mn/Co-MOF-74 was investigated and found that the catalyst has better sulfur and water resistance, and the NO conversion mechanism was speculated on the basis of characterizations and literature data.

Recent advances in the direct conversion of syngas to oxygenates

Direct synthesis of oxygenates from syngas is a promising way to utilize non-petroleum carbon resources because the oxygenate products serve as precursors for the downstream production of fuels and value-added chemicals.

CuCo alloy nanonets derived from CuCo2O4 spinel oxides for higher alcohols synthesis from syngas

Porous CuCo alloy nanonets were used as superior catalysts for higher alcohol synthesis from syngas. The catalyst was fabricated via structural topological transformation of CuCo2O4 spinel precursor.