Precipitation and impregnation are two common methods to synthesize heterogeneous catalysts. In this paper we compare the stability and activity of silica-supported catalysts prepared by precipitation or by impregnation, having comparable support morphology and copper weight loading. To obtain catalysts with comparable support morphology, plate-like silica was prepared from the precipitated catalyst. This porous, high surface area plate-like silica was subsequently impregnated with an aqueous copper solution and reduced in hydrogen. Catalysts characterization revealed that catalysts prepared by impregnation contained heterogeneities, present as particles significantly larger than the vast majority, whereas catalysts prepared by precipitation displayed a narrow particle size distribution. In particular the catalyst prepared by impregnation with a copper weight loading of 34 wt% displayed heterogeneities in the form of large particles, which were detrimental for both activity and stability in methanol synthesis from synthesis gas.

沉淀和浸渍是合成非均相催化剂的两种常用方法。在本文中，我们比较了通过沉淀或浸渍制备的二氧化硅负载型催化剂的稳定性和活性，该催化剂具有可比的载体形态和铜负载量。为了获得具有可比的载体形态的催化剂，从沉淀的催化剂制备板状二氧化硅。随后将这种多孔的，高表面​​积的板状二氧化硅浸入铜水溶液中，并在氢气中还原。催化剂的表征表明，通过浸渍制备的催化剂含有异质性，以明显大于绝大多数颗粒的形式存在，而通过沉淀制备的催化剂显示出窄的粒度分布。