Journal of Catalysis, Vol.165, No.2, 249-261, 1997
The Preparation and Characterization of Fe-Promoted Al2O3-Supported Rh Catalysts for the Selective Production of Ethanol from Syngas
This paper describes the development of a selective alumina-supported rhodium catalyst for the synthesis of ethanol from high pressure (10 bar) CO/H-2 mixtures. It has been shown that selectivity to ethanol of up to 50% can be achieved with an alumina-supported Rh catalyst containing 2 wt% Rh and promoted by 10 wt% Fe. Characterisation of the Fe-promoted Al2O3-supported Rh catalysts with increasing promoter loadings by selective chemisorption and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) has provided evidence of a close interaction between the active metal and the promoter oxide especially at higher promoter loadings. The results obtained are consistent with the buildup of a close packed monolayer of the promoter oxide on the support surface which is possible due to the presence of a high surface density of hydroxyl groups on alumina. The influence of the metal precursor and the drying rate on the final metal salt distribution through the pore structure of a preshaped alumina support has also been investigated. It has been shown that impregnation of 1/16 " gamma-alumina extrudates with an aqueous solution of iron nitrate causes the iron salt to be deposited at the outer edge of the pore structure. A more uniform distribution can be obtained if a methanolic solution of Fe(NO3)(3) or an aqueous solution of an organometallic complex is used as the deposited metal precursor.
Keywords:TEMPERATURE-PROGRAMMED REDUCTION;SUPPORTED METAL CRYSTALLITES;RHODIUM SILICA CATALYSTS;CO HYDROGENATION;CARBON-MONOXIDE;RH/SIO2 CATALYSTS;SYNTHESIS GAS;MOLYBDENUM OXIDE;ELEMENTARY STEPS;CO-H-2 REACTION