Steam reforming of methanol over combustion synthesized CuZnOx-based catalysts for fuel cell applications

Abstract

Steam reforming of methanol is considered an effective way of producing hydrogen-rich reformate for fuel cell applications, with the CuZnOx catalysts to be the most widely used materials for this process. In this study, the incorporation of various promoters in the CuZnOx structure, via a solution-combustion method, was investigated in order to promote the performance of the catalysts in the steam reforming of methanol. The physicochemical results indicated that the Ga promotion can alter the environment of ZnO phase, creating ZnGa2O4 spinels, oxygen vacancies and thus, influencing the interaction with the active phase (strong metal-support interactions). The catalytic studies illustrated that an optimum amount in Ga2O3 (15 wt%) is beneficial in terms of activity and especially, selectivity, while the formation of a CuZnGaAlOx system enhances further the performance. The functionality of the most active material was successfully demonstrated in an integrated internal reforming methanol fuel cell operating at 220 °C.