Abstract: A series of Cu/ZnO/Al2O3/ZrO2 catalysts with different amounts of residual sodiu m were prepared by washing with different amounts of deionized water. The activi ty and stability of the catalyst increased markedly with decreasing sodium conte nt. The presence of residual sodium accelerated the catalyst sintering, which in creased the crystallite size and decreased the specific surface area of t he cataly st. A highly active and stable methanol synthesis catalyst should have a residua l sodium content below 0.5 mg/g.

Key words: sodium, copper, zinc oxide, alumina, zirconia, methanol synthesis, sintering, stability