Designing mesh-like defective molybdenum carbides for ethanol synthesis via syngas-derived DMO hydrogenation

Molybdenum carbide has shown great potential in various hydrogenation reactions, and serves as a primary active species for synthesis of ethanol from dimethyl oxalate hydrogenation process which is a crucial step in the efficient utilization of coal resources. In this study, a molybdenum carbide catalyst with a three-dimensional mesh-like hollow structure and lattice defects was carefully designed. The MoO₃ precursor with abundant oxygen vacancies and defects was prepared by flame spray pyrolysis, and a structural modifier, Cu, was introduced by sputtering. The Cu deposited by sputtering affected the carburization and phase evolution processes. A three-dimensional mesh-like hollow structure composed of defective molybdenum carbide is formed, with the β-Mo₂C exhibiting lattice distortions and defects. This defective β-Mo₂C exhibits high reactivity, and facilitates the C=O hydrogenation process, showing a high reactivity of 83.1% yield in the hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate. This work provides a new approach to the design and application of molybdenum carbide catalysts.