Effect of Zn addition on electroless copper catalyst in n-butanol dehydrogenation

The effect of Zn addition on the electroless copper catalyst in n-butanol d ehydrogenation reaction was investigated. Copper loading on gamma-Al2O3 was fixed at 15% and Zn addition was varied from 1% to 5%. Experimental result s show that Zn addition would increase copper dispersion and hence the copp er surface area, and decrease copper crystallite size formed on the support . When extra potassium was added into the Zn-addition catalyst, further inc rease in copper surface area and decrease in crystallite size were observed . Zn addition would also cause the TPR curve slightly shifting to higher te mperatures indicating that the interaction between copper and support was a ffected by this addition. Extra addition of potassium would further cause t his shifting. Catalyst activity data show that proper addition of zinc can increase the activity of electroless copper catalyst in n-butanol dehydroge nation reaction and extra addition of potassium could further increase the catalyst activity.