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The role of surface oxygen on copper metal in catalysts for the synthesis of methanol

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Abstract

Discrepancies in experimental measurements of adsorbed oxygen coverage on copper metal surfaces in working Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts are interpreted in terms of two types of adsorbed oxygen. The first, O(a), is identical with that observed in studies of single‐crystal copper surfaces. The second, O*(a), not seen in single‐crystal studies, is more strongly bonded to the metal surface. It is suggested that the adsorption sites of O*(a) contain Zn as well as Cu, from surface α‐brass (copper/zinc alloy) formation during catalyst reduction. Earlier experimental results on O(a) coverages on various supported copper catalysts are re‐assessed. Only catalysts containing Zn (or Ga) gave abnormally high coverages: with other supports, basic or acidic, O(a) coverages are less than ∼0.1.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Cardiff University, PO Box 912, Cardiff, CF1 3TB, Wales, UK

    M.S. Spencer

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Spencer, M. The role of surface oxygen on copper metal in catalysts for the synthesis of methanol. Catalysis Letters 60, 45–49 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019017931794

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