Impact of Cu complex anions on CuZnAl intercalated hydrotalcite-like catalysts for low-carbon alcohols synthesis from syngas

Elucidating the structure-performance relationship of catalysts for low-carbon alcohols synthesis from syngas is crucial for designing efficient catalysts. In this study, CuO particle size, reducibility, and the number of oxygen vacancies could be adjusted by changing intercalated Cu complex anions, thereby affecting the catalyst's performance. The characterization results indicated that the insertion of [Cu(C₂O₄)₂]^2- between ZnAl layered double hydroxide resulted in the largest CuO particles (26.5 nm), leading to an increase in the metallic copper surface area. Consequently, the highest CO conversion (13.0 %) was achieved without altering alcohol distribution. On the other hand, when [Cu(EDTA)]^2- was inserted, the catalyst possessed the smallest CuO particle size (8.9 nm), more abundant oxygen vacancies, and enhanced interaction between Cu species and ZnO, which promoted carbon chain growth and resulted in a high C₂₊OH proportion of 75.8 %. Our study thus provides a new perspective on catalyst structures for the syngas production of low-carbon alcohols.