Fuel cell-grade hydrogen production from methanol over sonochemical coprecipitated copper based nanocatalyst: Influence of irradiation power and time on catalytic properties and performance

Abstract

A series of ceria promoted copper based nanocatalysts were synthesized by conventional and sonochemical co-precipitation methods at different irradiation power and time. Their performance was investigated for fuel cell-grade hydrogen production from methanol. The nanocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, specific surface area, and energy dispersive X-ray analyses. According to crystallography analysis by increasing irradiation power and time, the copper oxide crystallinity reduced and smaller and fully dispersed crystals produced. The nanocatalyst which sonicated at 90W for 15min had small spherical nanoparticles which their size range varied between 1nm to 125nm. The performance of nanocatalysts was examined through the methanol steam reforming process at 160–260°C and atmospheric pressure with space velocity of 10,000cm3/gcath in a U-shape fixed bed reactor. Among all nanocatalysts, the sample synthesized by conventional co-precipitation showed the weakest activity. But the others which synthesized by the ultrasound assisted co-precipitation method represented higher activity in terms of methanol conversion as the irradiation power and time enhanced. Complete methanol conversion achieved at 200°C for the nanocatalyst which sonicated at 90W for 15min during co-precipitation which is ideal for application in fuel cell vehicles.