The role of promoters in Cu/Acid-MMT catalysts for production of hydrogen via steam reforming of dimethyl ether

Background: The steam reforming of dimethyl ether (DME) is one of the promising technologies for high-efficiency hydrogen production. The key issue for the steam reforming of DME is the development of catalysts with higher performance. In this study, a series of X-Cu/Acid-MMT (X = Co, Ni, Zr, Ce) catalysts were prepared via the impregnation method using Acid-MMT obtained by montmorillonite activated with nitric acid (20 wt%) at 80 & DEG;C for 12 h as the support and metallic nitrate as precursor. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, H-2-TPR, XPS, N2O titration and N-2 adsorption-desorption at low temperature. Results: The introduction of promoter X could reduce the interaction between Cu and the support, and more CuO was reduced to Cu-0; meanwhile, it was beneficial for improving the dispersion of Cu. This would enhance the reaction rate of steam reforming of DME. Therefore, the introduction of promoter X significantly increased DME conversion, especially Ni-Cu/Acid-MMT presented the maximum DME conversion. However, Ni-Cu/Acid-MMT exhibited low H-2 yield, high selectivity of CO and CH4 due to reverse water gas shift reaction and methanation reaction. Co-Cu/Acid-MMT catalyst presented the maximum H-2 yield, high conversion of DME, relatively low selectivity of CH4 and better stability. Conclusions: The introduction of promoters to Cu/Acid-MMT catalyst improved the catalyst performance for the steam reforming of DME. Among these catalysts, Co-Cu/Acid-MMT exhibited remarkable catalytic performance, which is expected to be a potential catalyst for steam reforming of DME. (C) 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).