Catalytic properties of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide supported on alumina and silica in methanol conversion

The catalytic properties of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide supported on Al2O3 and SiO2 were studied in methanol conversion. The results show the strong influence of the support and the chemical state of the graphene-derived phase on catalytic activity and product formation. SiO2-supported catalysts provide low activity, whereas Al2O3-supported systems demonstrate significantly higher methanol conversion. Methanol conversion on Al2O3-supported materials leads to dimethyl ether formation in the intermediate temperature range, while at higher temperatures, methanol conversion shifts toward high-temperature products, including H2, CO, CH4, and CH2O. This shift can be associated with diffusion limitations and surface coverage by the reduced graphene oxide phase. The study shows that methanol conversion pathways over graphene-derived catalysts can be tuned by combining oxide support properties with controlled reduction of graphene oxide.