LAUSR

Abstract Syngas to higher oxygenates conversion was carried out on a series of potassium-promoted cobalt-based catalysts. Catalysts with different potassium composition were prepared by metal organic framework-mediated synthesis, which is the calcination of the ZIF-67 metal organic framework (MOF). Cobalt skeleton structure that originated from the MOF is preserved after the calcination. The calcined catalysts consist of Co3O4 nanoparticles and surface carbon. The catalysts were reduced by H2/He prior to the reaction. CO hydrogenation was carried out at various temperatures (270 °C, 300 °C and 325 °C) and at 40 bar, with H2/CO = 1/1. The formation of methane and higher hydrocarbons is suppressed by potassium, and cobalt carbide is formed from metallic cobalt during the reaction. Thus, the K-promoted cobalt based catalyst synthesized by the MOF-mediated synthesis shows higher selectivity to ethanol, acetaldehyde and higher oxygenates, even at high temperatures.