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

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Abstract

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 ZnxAlyOx+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.

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Acknowledgments

The partial financial support for this study was received from the Polish Scientific Research Council (Grant No. N N209 068040). Paweł Mierczyński is a participant of START Programme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924, Lodz, Poland

    Paweł Mierczynski, Waldemar Maniukiewicz & Tomasz Maniecki

  2. Mawson Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, SA, 5095, Australia

    Krasimir Vasilev & Agnieszka Mierczynska

  3. Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia

    Agnieszka Mierczynska

Authors
  1. Paweł Mierczynski
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  2. Krasimir Vasilev
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  3. Agnieszka Mierczynska
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  4. Waldemar Maniukiewicz
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  5. Tomasz Maniecki
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Correspondence to Paweł Mierczynski.

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Mierczynski, P., Vasilev, K., Mierczynska, A. et al. The Effect of ZnAl2O4 on the Performance of Cu/ZnxAlyOx+1.5y Supported Catalysts in Steam Reforming of Methanol. Top Catal 56, 1015–1025 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-013-0065-7

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