Effect of the bimetallic Ni/Cu loading on the ZrO2 support for H2 production in the autothermal steam reforming of methanol

Effect of the bimetallic Ni/Cu loading on the ZrO2 support for H2 production in the autothermal steam reforming of methanol

Type	Journal Article
Author	R. Pérez-Hernández
Author	A. Gutiérrez-Martínez
URL	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920586114005756
Volume	250
Pages	166-172
Publication	Catalysis Today
Date	July 15, 2015
Abstract	Researchers fabricated bimetallic Ni/Cu/ZrO2 catalysts using successive impregnation, and evaluated the effect of the bimetallic Ni/Cu content on the ZrO2 support in the autothermal steam reforming of methanol (ASRM) for H2 production. Catalytic activity increased with the bimetallic Ni/Cu content on the ZrO2. Ni/Cu/ZrO2 catalyst with 15% of bimetallic phase loading exhibiting the highest selectivity towards H2. Characterization by TEM-EDX of th catalyst revealed Cucore–Nishell nanoparticles with quasi-spherical shape. While the shell of the nanoparticles in the 30Ni/Cu/ZrO2 sample was composed of Ni-Cu alloy, researchers noted lower H2 production in this catalyst. The correlation between size, shape and frequency of these particles on the ZrO2 could account for the catalytic activity and selectivity on each catalyst during the ASRM. Authors conclude that the large Ni–Cu crystallites with Ni–Cu alloy shell are responsible for the drop of H2 selectivity in the autothermal steam reforming of methanol.