Highly active carbon nanotube–promoted Rh-Mn-Li/SiO2 catalysts for the synthesis of C2+ oxygenates from syngas

The effect of carbon nanotubes on the catalytic properties of Rh-Mn-Li/SiO2 catalysts was investigated for CO hydrogenation. The catalysts were comprehensively characterized by means of X-ray power diffraction, N2 sorption, transmission electron microscope, H2–temperature-programmed reduction, CO–temperature-programmed desorption, temperature-programmed surface reaction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that an appropriate amount of carbon nanotubes can be attached to the surface of the SiO2 sphere and can improve the Rh dispersion. Moderate Rh-Mn interaction can be obtained by doping with the appropriate amount of carbon nanotubes, which promotes the formation of strongly adsorbed CO and facilitates the progress of CO insertion, resulting in the increase in the selectivity of C2+ oxygenate synthesis.