  Syngas conversion into higher alcohols represents a promising avenue for
transforming coal or biomass into liquid fuels. However, the commercialization
of this process has been hindered by the high cost, low activity, and
inadequate C$_{2+}$OH selectivity of catalysts. Herein, we have developed Cu/Co
carbon wood catalysts, offering a cost-effective and stable alternative with
exceptional selectivity for catalytic conversion. The formation of Cu/Co
nanoparticles was found, influenced by water-1,2-propylene glycol ratios in the
solution, resulting in bidisperse nanoparticles. The catalyst exhibited a
remarkable CO conversion rate of 74.8% and a selectivity of 58.7% for
C$_{2+}$OH, primarily comprising linear primary alcohols. This catalyst
demonstrated enduring stability and selectivity under industrial conditions,
maintaining its efficacy for up to 350 h of operation. We also employed density
functional theory (DFT) to analyze selectivity, particularly focusing on the
binding strength of CO, a crucial precursor for subsequent reactions leading to
the formation of CH$_3$OH. DFT identified the pathway of CH$_x$ and CO
coupling, ultimately yielding C$_2$H$_5$OH. This computational understanding,
coupled with high performance of the Cu/Co-carbon wood catalyst, paves ways for
the development of catalytically selective materials tailored for higher
alcohols production, thereby ushering in new possibility in this field.
