Catalytic activity and stability of NiPt/C catalysts for the synthesis of iso-butanol from methanol/ethanol mixtures†

Abstract

Mixtures of sustainably produced ethanol and methanol can serve as educts for the synthesis of higher alcohols, which are considered carbon-neutral components and feedstocks for the transportation and chemical sectors. In this respect, this study focused on bi-metallic NiPt catalysts supported on activated carbon for the synthesis of iso-butanol. Reaction temperature, time on stream, and the inlet concentration of ethanol were varied to investigate the influence of these parameters on ethanol conversion, the selectivities towards iso-butanol, and other reaction products, as well as the space–time yield of the NiPt/C catalyst. In addition, kinetic parameters were determined. It was found that a reaction temperature of 165 °C was most suitable for the selectivity towards iso-butanol. Activation energies were calculated to the range between 110 kJ mol⁻¹ and 120 kJ mol⁻¹. TEM experiments revealed that there was no ageing of the catalytically active species of the Ni₉₉Pt₁/C catalyst during iso-butanol synthesis.