Formation of Effective Copper-Based Catalysts of Methanol Synthesis

Abstract

The regularities of formation of the composition and structure of a highly efficient catalyst for methanol synthesis have been revealed. The catalyst was obtained by thermal treatment of the combined CuZnAl(Cr) hydroxocarbonate followed by the reductive activation of the anion-modified zinc oxide precursor. The composition and structure of hydroxocarbonate are determined by the nature of components and their ratio. The thermal decomposition of hydroxocarbonates at 550–650 K formed the oxide catalyst; at higher temperatures, the product was an inactive mixture of oxides. The oxide catalyst is mixed zinc oxide containing the Cu2+ and Al or Cr3+ cations and residual (СО3)2– and ОН– anions, i.e., the anion-modified oxide.