Construction of Synergistic Co and Cu Diatomic Sites for Enhanced Higher Alcohol Synthesis

Higher alcohol synthesis (HAS) from syngas could efficiently alleviate the dependence on the traditional fossil resources. However, it is still challenging to construct high-performance HAS catalysts with satisfying selectivity, space–time yield (STY), and stability. Herein, we designed a diatomic catalyst by anchoring Co and Cu sites onto a hierarchical porous N-doped carbon matrix (Co/Cu–N–C). The Co/Cu–N–C is efficient for HAS and is among the best catalysts reported. With a CO conversion of 81.7%, C₂₊OH selectivity could reach 58.5% with an outstanding C₂₊OH STY of 851.8 mg/g·h. We found that the N₄–Co₁ and Cu₁–N₄ showed an excellent synergistic effect. The adsorption of CO occurred on the Co site, and the surrounding nitrogen sites served as a hydrogen reservoir for the CO reduction reactions to form CH_xCo. Meanwhile, the Cu sites stabilized a CHO_Cu species to interact with CH_xCo, facilitating a barrier-free formation of C₂ species, which is responsible for the high selectivity of higher alcohols.