Molybdena Enhanced Rh/Al2O3 Catalysts

Abstract Incorporation of large amounts of molybdena into Rh/Al2O3 catalysts has been found to increase the rate of CO hydrogenation more than ten-fold. The selectivity to oxygenates is increased significantly and the shift reaction is also accelerated. Kinetic and characterization studies have led to a proposed dual-site mechanism in which CO is activated by Rh and H2 by MoO3-x. Increased activity and selectivity are both attributed to a more effective hydrogenation capability provided by the molybdena.