Work

(Ni,Cu) and Cu supported over alumina for ethanol dehydrogenation: Effect of preparation, activation, and operando studies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: (Cu,Ni)/Al 2 O 3 catalysts were prepared by different synthetic routes and characterized using several techniques. The effect of H₂ pretreatment on catalytic performance was examined using steady-state and operando tests and compared with a commercial reference. The prereduced bimetallic catalyst prepared via SCS achieved the highest acetaldehyde yield (75 % at 573 K). Pre-reduction enhanced activity and selectivity at low temperatures without altering high-temperature behavior, even though it did not strongly affect stability in short contact time experiments. Operando studies showed that, upon acetaldehyde production, acetate species are formed on Al³⁺ or on exposed reduced transition-metal surfaces, resulting in distinct acetate populations. The interaction of acetate with Cu 0 appears to be weaker when nickel is introduced, particularly with the SCS route. Under operando conditions, activity generally declines at the maximum tested temperature, where acetate species reach their maximum peak intensity; those species remain stable at the surface even upon purging at high temperature.

Source: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.126267

Authors: Elena Spennati, Giovanni Pampararo, Gabriella Garbarino, Paola Riani

Institutions: National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, University of Genoa

Language: English

Topic: Catalytic Processes in Materials Science

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,950

Funders: European Commission, Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca, Ministero dell'Istruzione e del Merito