Catalytic conversion of ethanol and iso-propanol over ZnO-treated Co3O4/Al2O3 solids

The catalytic conversion of ethanol and iso-propanol was carried out over 0.1 Co3O4/Al2O3 system treated with ZnO (1.33–5.12 wt.%). Pure and doped catalyst samples were heated at 400 °C. The effects of ZnO-treatment on surface and catalytic properties of the investigated system were studied using XRD, nitrogen adsorption at −196 °C and conversion of ethanol and iso-propanol at 250–400 °C using micropulse technique. The results revealed that ZnO-treatment of this system effected a small decrease in the particle size of Co3O4 phase and a small increase in its BET-surface area. The pure and doped solid samples acted as dehydration and dehydrogenation catalysts. This treatment led also to an increase in the catalytic activity of the investigated catalysts reaching to a maximum limit in presence of 2.63 wt.% ZnO. Furthermore, ZnO treatment effected an increase in the dehydrogenation selectivity and a decrease in the dehydration selectivity.