Abstract: In this paper, the Cu and ZnO nanoparticles were mixed by the ultrasonic dispersion method. The catalysts were used for dehydrogenation of 2-butanol. Comparing to the Cu and ZnO catalysts, the Cu-ZnO catalyst showed a high catalytic activity and stability. The fresh and reacted catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET and EPR, which showed that the nano-scaled Cu and ZnO catalysts were deactivated during the reaction because of sintering and carbon deposition, respectively. In Cu-ZnO catalyst, the gathering of Cu particles was restrained by adding ZnO, and carbon deposition was avoided due to some interactions between Cu and ZnO.

Key words: Dehydrogenation of 2-butanol, Cu nanoparticle, ZnO nanoparticle