The complete liquid-phase method and traditional method had
a significant influence on the physicochemical properties and catalytic
performance of the CuZnAl catalysts for CO hydrogenation.
The CAT-Al and CAT-GR catalysts showed excellent ethanol selectivity,
while CAT-GB catalysts exhibited a high activity and the
liquid products were nearly composed of methanol. The preparation
method affected the composition and microstructure of the
catalysts as well as the interaction among Cu, Zn, and Al species.
Ethanol synthesis required not only Cu+ but also the strong weak
acid on the catalyst surface. This work provided us a new concept
that carbon chain could grow over CuZnAl catalysts without other
promoters