Catalytic Activity of Dehydrogenation of Methanol to MF over Cu/MCM-41 and Cu-ZnO/MCM-41 Prepared by Impregnation and Grinding

Abstract. Using MCM-41 molecular sieves as the support, Cu-ZnO/MCM-41 and Cu/MCM-41 catalysts were prepared by impregnation and grinding. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption and TPR methods. The catalytic activity of the dehydrogenation of methanol to methyl formate (MF) was evaluated using the flow microreactor under atmospheric pressure. According to the results, the catalyst prepared by impregnation had a better selectivity for the MF, but a lower methanol conversion rate. However, the product's selectivity could be improved by adding ZnO additive while the methanol conversion rate was reduced. For Cu/MCM-41 prepared by impregnation and grinding, the methanol conversion rate was 20.18% and 24.13% respectively at 250°C and the MF selectivity was 73.75% and 67.35% respectively. Likewise for Cu-ZnO/MCM-41 prepared by impregnation and grinding, the methanol conversion rate was 15.28% and 18.83% respectively at 250°C and the MF selectivity was 81.31% and 75.32% respectively.