Study of the Cu/SiO2 Catalyst Prepared from Copper Phyllosilicate

Copper phyllosilicate has been synthesized from a solution of sodium silicate and copper nitrate by co-precipitation under acidic conditions followed by reduction under H2 flow for using it as the Cu/SiO2 catalyst. The catalyst has been characterized by XRD, XPS, FTIR and Raman spectra, EDS, BET, and TEM. It is confirmed that only copper phyllosilicate and SiO2 exist in the catalyst precursor, and there has been no CuO. Physical and chemical properties of Cu/SiO2 catalyst have been evaluated. The Cu/SiO2 catalyst has not only a large specific surface area and abundant mesopores but also the advantages of high dispersion of copper nanoparticles and the combination of Cu0 and Cu+. The catalyst demonstrates high activity and selectivity in the reaction of 2-butanol dehydrogenation to methyl ethyl ketone.