High Performing and Stable Cu/NiAlOx Catalysts for the Continuous Catalytic Conversion of Ethanol into Butanol

The catalytic conversion of ethanol into butanol is one of crucial reactions in biorefinery for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. The development of highly durable non‐noble metal‐based catalysts is of great significance but poses big challenges. Herein, we prepared a series of NiAl‐hydrotalcite derived Cu/NiAlOx catalysts via the hydrothermal precipitation method. Cu addition to the system shows an enhanced reactivity in the continuous catalytic conversion of ethanol into butanol. The 0.75 %Cu/NiAlOx catalyst afford a sustained ethanol conversion of ∼35 % and butanol selectivity of ∼45 % within 1000 h at 250 °C, 3 MPa N2. Complementary characterization studies reveal that Cu addition into the catalysts could not only provide redox sites for facilitating the dehydrogenation/hydrogenation processes, but also modulate the base/acid property for suppressing the side reactions. The excellent stability might stem from the enhanced interaction between Cu and Ni species, as evidenced by EDX‐mapping and H2‐TPR. We believe this work will help to rational design and develop of high‐performing and durable non‐noble metal catalysts for ethanol coupling to higher alcohols. Acid‐base catalysis: High performing and stable Cu/NiAlOx catalysts were developed for continuous catalytic conversion of ethanol into butanol, with sustained ethanol conversion of ∼35 % and butanol selectivity of ∼45 % for 1000 h. The induced strong interaction between Cu and Ni species under the redox conditions could prevent the agglomeration of Cu species and maintain the long‐term stability in the catalysis.