CoMn catalysts derived from partial decomposed layered CoMn-MOF materials for higher alcohol synthesis from syngas

Direct and selective conversion of syngas to higher alcohols (C2+OH, HA) is highly attractive but remains challenges in improving the high catalytic performance. Herein, a series of catalysts were prepared by thermal decomposing layered-structured CoMn-MOF materials and used in the HA synthesis. Characterization results showed that the MOF framework could partially maintain after calcination at 350 °C under N2 flow, in which the Co2+ species can provide extra non-dissociative adsorption CO sties, leading to an improved alcohol selectivity. And the addition of manganese could promote the cobalt dispersion and Co2C formation. The synergistic catalysis of these active species allowed the optimal CoMn-350 catalyst to display a superior selectivity to HA, specifically the alcohol selectivity reached 57.5% and the distribution of C2+OH in total alcohols was up to 82.4 % when the CO conversion was 51.5%. The catalyst with remaining MOF framework also showed an excellent stability during 250 h reaction. This work highlights a feasible strategy for the design of highly efficient catalysts for HA synthesis via the partial decomposing MOF materials.