Syngas conversion into higher alcohols via bio-based CuCo-wood carbon catalyst

yngas conversion to higher alcohols (HAS) is a promising way of converting coal or biomass into liquid fuels. However, the high cost, low activity, and selectivity of C2+OH hinder the commercialization of this process. Herein, we investigate the stability and selectivity of low-cost Cu/Co carbon wood (CW) catalysts. We noticed that the nucleation of Cu/Co nanoparticles was influenced by different water–1,2-propylene glycol ratios in the solution, where two sizes of nanoparticles were observed. The optimal catalyst displayed a high CO conversion of 74.8% and selectivity of 58.7% for C2+OH, which is mainly linear primary alcohol. Besides the best-performing catalyst was tested under industrial conditions, where high stability and selectivity were maintained for up to 350 h. In addition, selectivity was analyzed using Density functional theory (DFT) insights to identify the binding strength of CO, which can further react to form CH3OH. As well as the route of CHx and CO coupling which eventually produces C2H5OH. High performance with a computational understanding of the Cu/Co-carbon wood catalyst will open new possibilities for developing selective materials toward the production of higher alcohols.