Cu40Mg60 and Cu–MgO powders prepared by ball-milling: characterization and catalytic tests

Cu40Mg60 amorphous alloy powders, prepared by mechanical alloying of the constituent elements, and Cu–MgO samples, made by the self-sustaining reaction between Cu2O and Mg in stoichiometric amounts and additional ball milling, were characterized by physical methods (DSC, XRD, and XPS). The catalytic properties of the specimens were tested in the dehydrogenation of 2-propanol and in the one-step synthesis of methyl isobutyl ketone from acetone. The samples exhibited high activities and selectivities in the dehydrogenation of 2-propanol. In contrast, their overall performance in the synthesis of methyl isobutyl ketone is inferior to that of Cu-on-MgO prepared by conventional methods. The catalytic performances of the samples are interpreted by the structural and surface changes induced by the catalytic reactions.