The Role of Carbon-Containing Materials as Carriers for KCoMoS₂ Active Phase on Synthesis of Alcohols from Syngas

A comparison study of the effect of different carbon-containing materials used as carriers on transition metal sulfide (TMS) catalyst behavior in the synthesis gas conversion has been conducted. Supports used for the synthesis of alcohols from syngas via KCoMoS₂, in this project are γ-Al₂O₃, Carbon-Coated Alumina (CCA), Graphene coated Alumina (GCA), NiAl2O3.CuO, and different types of low-cost commercial activated carbons such as fabric active sorption (TCA), non-woven activated material (AHM), AG-3, OBC-1, DAC, and BAW. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), and N₂ physisorption were used to characterize the carriers and catalysts. The obtained results have shown that GCA is more effective than alumina and CCA to increase the yield ratio between alcohol and hydrocarbons (Y_ROH/HCs), besides it has shown low selectivity for CO₂. The graphene ribbons have played a role in decreasing the interaction between alumina and the active phase which decreased the hydrogenation reaction. The used types of carbon materials showed different supporting efficiency to synthesis of alcohol from syngas. The activities depend on the support nature have shown trends to increase in the following order: Al₂O₃ < CCA < BAW < TCA < Ag3 < AHM > GCA.