Novel application of thermally expanded graphite as the support of catalysts for direct synthesis of DMC from CH3OH and CO2.
Novel Cu-Ni bimetallic catalysts supported on thermally expanded graphite (TEG) were prepared as an example to show the particular characteristics of TEG as a carbon support material. The structures of TEG and the synthesized Cu-Ni/TEG catalysts were characterized using BET, FTIR, TG, SEM, TEM, XRD and TPR techniques. The catalytic activities of the prepared catalysts were investigated by performing micro-reaction in the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from CH3OH and CO2. The experimental results indicated that the prepared Cu-Ni/TEG catalysts exhibited highly catalytic activity. Under the optimal catalytic conditions at 100 degrees C and under 1.2 MPa, the highest conversion of CH3OH of 4.97% and high selectivity of DMC of 89.3% can be achieved. The highly catalytic activity of Cu-Ni/TEG in DMC synthesis can be attributed to the synergetic effects of metal Cu, Ni and Cu-Ni alloy in the activation of CH3OH and CO2 and the particular characteristics of TEG as a carbon support material.
Bian
J
J
State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, Institute of Optoelectronic and Functional Composite Materials, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China.
Xiao
M
M
Wang
S J
SJ
Lu
Y X
YX
Meng
Y Z
YZ
D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D005561:Formates / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D000432:Methanol / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
D005561:Formates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D006108:Graphite; D003300:Copper; D009532:Nickel; C023025:methyl carbonate; D000432:Methanol