The Effect of ZnAl2O4 on the Performance of Cu/ZnxAlyOx+1.5y Supported Catalysts in Steam Reforming of Methanol

This paper demonstrates the benefit of using spinel (ZnAl₂O₄) as a support for copper catalysts in hydrogen generation. We have investigated the influence of catalyst pre-treatment, support composition and copper content on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of copper catalysts supported on Zn_xAl_yO_x+1.5y in the methanol steam reforming. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were examined by X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, specific surface area and porosity, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FTIR and chemisorption methods. The reduced copper catalysts showed higher conversion of methanol and higher hydrogen production. We also found that the presence of Cu⁺ and Cu⁰ species on the catalyst surface strongly influences the reaction yield and hydrogen production. FTIR measurements performed for copper catalysts confirmed that increasing of aluminium content in the case of catalytic systems caused the growth of adsorbed species on the catalyst surface.