A CuZnAl-based Hybrid Material for the Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether from Syngas

A CuZnAl-based hybrid material was prepared by co-precipitation impregnation method using the active components of methanol synthesis material and pseudo-boehmite as the precursors. The as-prepared material was evaluated for the direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from syngas in a pressurized continuous flow fixed-bed reactor system. It was revealed that the hybrid material showed high activity and selectivity after an induced period, i.e. the CO conversion and DME selectivity reached as high as 81% and 67%, respectively. Moreover, it was observed that there was only slight carbon which could be eliminated rather than graphite carbon deposited on the material after run for 150 h, indicating its good stability for the direct synthesis process.