Cocatalytic effect of palladium and zinc in the condensation of alcohol carbon backbones into hydrocarbons

The results of the direct conversion of ethanol and its mixture with glycerol into a C4–C10+ alkane and olefin fraction in the presence of Pd-, Zn-, and Pd-Zn-containing catalysts, which were prepared by supporting homo- and heterometallic acetate complexes onto the surface of γ-Al2O3, are reported. It was found that, in the presence of mono- and bicomponent Pd-ZnO (Pd; ZnO)/γ-Al2O3 systems, selectivity in the formation of alkanes, olefins, or their mixtures in the target fraction can be controlled as a result of the cocatalytic effect of active components that are responsible for the catalyst activity in condensation and hydrogenation reactions. The structures of the active components were studied and the genesis of the catalytic systems was characterized using XAFS, XPS, and XRD analysis. It was found that the addition of glycerol considerably increased the yield of the target hydrocarbon fraction.