Production of hydrogen from methanol steam reforming using CuPd/ZrO2 catalysts - Influence of the catalytic surface on methanol conversion and CO selectivity

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021-05-13

Authors

Cátia Azenha (Author) Other; Tiago Lagarteira (Author) FEUP; Cecilia Mateos-Pedrero (Author) Other; Adélio Mendes (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Vol. 46

Pages: 17490-17499

ISSN: 0360-3199

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 3 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Chemical engineering

CORDIS: Physical sciences > Chemistry

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-22Z

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.04.040

Abstract (EN): Electricity generation for mobile applications by proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is typically hindered by the low volumetric energy density of hydrogen. Nevertheless, nearly pure hydrogen can be generated in-situ from methanol steam reforming (MSR), with Cu-based catalysts being the most common MSR catalysts. Cu-based catalysts display high catalytic performance, even at low temperatures (ca. 250 degrees C), but are easily deactivated. On the other hand, Pd-based catalysts are very stable but show poor MSR selectivity, producing high concentrations of CO as by-product. This work studies bimetallic catalysts where Cu was added as a promoter to increase MSR selectivity of Pd. Specifically, the surface composition was tuned by different sequences of Cu and Pd impregnation on a monoclinic ZrO2 support. Both methanol conversion and MSR selectivity were higher for the catalyst with a CuPd-rich surface compared to the catalyst with a Pd-rich surface. Characterization analysis indicate that the higher MSR selectivity results from a strong interaction between the two metals when Pd is impregnated first (likely an alloy). This sequence also resulted in better metallic dispersion on the support, leading to higher methanol conversion. A H-2 production rate of 86.3 mmol h(-1) g(-1) was achieved at low temperature (220 degrees C) for the best performing catalyst.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10