High‐efficiency dimethyl adipate hydrogenation for 1,6‐Hexanediol synthesis over the Cu/SiO2 nanoparticles with reasonably modulations of pore structure and dispersion via surface‐assisted method

Abstract Surfactant‐assisted co‐precipitation for catalyst preparation is an excellent potential preparation method for enhanced metal‐support interactions and abundant oxygen vacancy. Cu/SiO 2 catalysts were prepared containing either glycolic acid ethoxylate lauryl ether (BRIJ35, B5), polyethylene oxide‐polypropylene oxide‐polyethylene oxide (P123 P3), or no surfactant. After further treatment with surfactants, the 1,6‐hexanediol selectivity was significantly increased, especially for P123 surfactant. The Cu/SiO 2 ‐P3 catalyst showed good performance, which may be related to more surface basic amount, the larger dispersion of the Cu and abundant oxygen vacancy. Abundant O vac may facilitate the hydrogenation of DMA by weakening the C=O bond. After the Cu/SiO 2 catalyst was treated with surfactant, the micropores disappeared and S BET of the catalyst increased. Among them, Cu/SiO 2 ‐P3 had the largest specific surface area (312.6 m 2 g −1 ).