Effect of Ce and Zn on Cu-Based Mesoporous Carbon Catalyst for Methanol Steam Reforming

Hydrogen is a clean renewable energy with potential for future environmental sustainability. The main challenge in hydrogen production via methanol steam reforming (MSR) is carbon monoxide (CO) formation that deactivates the catalyst. In this study, the effect of zinc (Zn) and cerium (Ce) on copper–mesoporous carbon (MC)-catalyst (Cu–MC) for MSR was investigated. The highest surface area (380.5 m 2 /g), observed for the Cu–MC prepared by one-pot (OP), decreased after incorporation of Ce and Zn. The temperature programmed reduction (H 2 -TPR) studies showed a decrease in the reduction temperature of CuO. The metal oxides were well distributed over the MC support based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. The MSR studies yielded methanol conversion of 65 and 68% for Ce-loaded Cu–MC prepared by OP and wet-impregnation (WI) methods at 300 °C and 250 °C, respectively. Addition of Zn to Cu–MC decreased methanol conversion, significantly, to 46%, at 300 °C. Both catalysts showed higher hydrogen selectivity, > 90%, with a lower CO selectivity for the Zn–Cu–MC catalyst. The Ce–Cu–MC (WI) catalyst showed good stability for 42 h with high H 2 selectivity, > 90%, and methanol conversion of 40% at 250 °C. Graphical Abstract