Evaluation and characterization of Mn–Cu mixed oxide catalysts for ethanol total oxidation: Influence of copper content

Mixed oxides of manganese and copper with different wt% of copper have been prepared and evaluated in ethanol combustion. The co-precipitation method used for the synthesis of MnxCuy mixed oxides is adequate to obtain catalysts with excellent catalytic performance in combustion reactions. Catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, FT-IR, TPR and O2-TPD. A small amount of copper prevents manganese oxide reaching a crystalline structure. This poor crystalline structure of manganese oxide may improve the existence of oxygen vacancies giving a best performance in ethanol combustion to CO2. When the copper content increases, an extent of solid state reaction between Cu and Mn is favored and the partial oxidation of ethanol becomes more important. The incorporation of manganese into incomplete spinel structure diminishes CO2 yield.