Cu-Zn-Al-Zr slurry catalysts were prepared by complete liquid-phase technology and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption, H2 temperature-programmed reduction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and NH3 temperature-programmed desorption. The above catalysts were evaluated in the reaction of synthesizing dimethyl ether(DME) from syngas. The results indicated that the different manners of adding Zr into CuZnAl catalyst had significant influence on catalyst’s property. When Zr and Al added simultaneously, the active component of catalyst was dispersed uniform and easily to reduce. Moreover, they had stable surface structure and same strong and weak acid sites with the CuZnAl catalyst. When the ratio of Al and Zr was 10:1, CO conversion and DME selectivity was equal to that of CuZnAl catalyst and the catalyst’s rheological property had been obviously improved.

Key words: liquid-phase technology, dimethyl ether, Cu-Zn-Al-Zr slurry catalyst, syngas