Cu-based catalyst LP201 for one-step synthesis of dimethyl ether from syngas in three-phase process

The catalytic activity of Cu-based catalyst LP2O1 for one-step synthesis of dimethyl ether from synthesis gas in three-phase process was studied. The activity and stability of LP2O1-γ-Al₂O₃ were much superior to the other catalysts. The performance of LP2O1 and MK101P was compared. LP2O1 possessed a superior performance. LP2O1 possesses a larger surface area (96 sq m/g vs. 82 sq m/g for C306) and a lower bulk density (0.99 g/cc vs. 1.36 g/cc for C306). The XRD pattern of reduced LP2O1 had a more intensive peak (20 = 36.2) that is ascribed to the active phase of copper for methanol synthesis. The IR spectra of the precursors demonstrate that LP2O1 had more compounds (malachite and aurichalcite), which resulted in a more active catalyst after calcination.