Copper-based catalysts over A520-MOF derived aluminum spinels for hydrogen production by methanol steam reforming: The role of spinal support on the performance

Abstract

Spinel materials can be appropriate candidates for supporting the catalysis domain because of several properties, such as high thermal stability and porous structure. In this work, MAl2O4 spinels (M: Ni, Co, Zn, and Mg) are prepared using commercial A520 (Al-MOF) and M(NO3)2·6H2O (M: Ni, Co, Zn, and Mg) at 750 °C. The prepared spinels are applied to support Cu active metal in the methanol steam-reforming (MSR) reaction. The fabricated catalysts are characterized comprehensively by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), and BET surface area analysis (SBET). An extensive study of the MSR process using microstructure monolith/MAl2O4/Cu catalysts is accomplished in the range of 150–300 °C. High methanol conversion, good H2 selectivity, and lower CO selectivity are obtained for Cu/MgAl2O4 among all prepared catalysts. The TEM micrograph for Cu/MgAl2O4 demonstrates platelet morphology at an average size of ~50 nm. Based on thermal analysis, the amount of coke deposited on four spent catalysts after 30 h on stream at 200 °C is less than 1%.