Effect of Alkali-Doping on the Performance of Diatomite Supported Cu-Ni Bimetal Catalysts for Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate

Abstract

Alkali-adopted Cu-Ni/diatomite catalysts were designed and used for the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from carbon dioxide and methanol. Alkali additives were introduced into Cu-Ni/diatomite catalyst as a promoter because of its lower work function (Ni > Cu > Li > Na > K > Cs) and stronger electron-donating ability. A series of alkali-promoted Cu-Ni/diatomite catalysts were prepared by wetness impregnation method with different kind and different loading of alkali. The synthesized catalysts were fully characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), and NH3/CO2-TPD. The experimental results demonstrated that alkali adoption can significantly promote the catalytic activity of Cu–Ni bimetallic catalysts. Under the catalytic reaction conditions of 120 °C and 1.0 MPa; the highest CH3OH conversion of 9.22% with DMC selectivity of 85.9% has been achieved when using 15%(2Cu-Ni) 2%Cs2O/diatomite catalyst (CuO + NiO = 15 wt. %, atomic ratio of Cu/Ni = 2/1, Cs2O = 2 wt. %).