Interplay of support chemistry and reaction conditions on copper catalyzed methanol steam reforming

Abstract

A series of Cu catalysts supported on SiO2, Al2O3-SiO2, TiO2 rutile, and Cu/TiO2 anatase metal oxides has been studied for methanol reforming in the vapor phase. The highest activity was obtained on Cu/SiO2 catalysts (5493 µmol H2 min-1·gcat -1) followed by Cu/TiO2 rutile, Cu/ Al2O3-SiO2, and anatase. XRD and HRTEM characterization after reaction revealed that on Cu/SiO2 significant sintering occurred during reaction. In contrast, the particle size growth on Cu/TiO2 rutile and anatase was less pronounced, which could be associated with the interaction between Cu clusters and TiO2. Characterization by TGA showed that on Cu/Al2O3-SiO2 the main cause of deactivation was coke deposition.