Abstract:

To improve the catalyst activity measurements in the laboratory course, Raney-Cu and Ag/Raney-Cu, an Ag-modified Raney-Cu which was synthesized by the galvanic replacement method, were tested in the methanol decomposition reaction. Results showed that both Ag/Raney-Cu and Raney-Cu are more active than the conventional ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst for methanol decomposition at a large range of reaction temperatures, and Raney-Cu is more active at the lower temperature of 250℃. However, the catalytic activity of Ag/Raney-Cu increased remarkably with the increase of reaction temperature, and became more active than Raney-Cu at 350℃. This study suggests that both Raney-Cu and Ag/Raney-Cu are ideal low temperature catalysts for the catalytic activity measurements in the laboratory course.

Key words: Heterogeneous catalysis, Low temperature active, Catalytic activity measurement