Syngas conversion to higher alcohols via wood-framed Cu/Co-carbon catalyst

Syngas conversion into higher alcohols represents a promising avenue for transforming coal or biomass into liquid fuels. However, the commercialization of this process has been hindered by the high cost, low activity, and inadequate C$_{2+}$OH selectivity of catalysts. Herein, we have developed Cu/Co carbon wood catalysts, offering a cost-effective and stable alternative with exceptional selectivity for catalytic conversion. The formation of Cu/Co nanoparticles was found, influenced by water-1,2-propylene glycol ratios in the solution, resulting in bidisperse nanoparticles. The catalyst exhibited a remarkable CO conversion rate of 74.8% and a selectivity of 58.7% for C$_{2+}$OH, primarily comprising linear primary alcohols. This catalyst demonstrated enduring stability and selectivity under industrial conditions, maintaining its efficacy for up to 350 h of operation. We also employed density functional theory (DFT) to analyze selectivity, particularly focusing on the binding strength of CO, a crucial precursor for subsequent reactions leading to the formation of CH$_3$OH. DFT identified the pathway of CH$_x$ and CO coupling, ultimately yielding C$_2$H$_5$OH. This computational understanding, coupled with high performance of the Cu/Co-carbon wood catalyst, paves ways for the development of catalytically selective materials tailored for higher alcohols production, thereby ushering in new possibility in this field.