Optimization of the sol gel synthesis process parameters by orthogonal experiment of novel spinel oxide catalyst CuFe 1.2 Al 0.8 O 4 with improved performance for methanol steam reforming

In this study, optimization of the synthesis process parameters of sol-gel method using orthogonal experiment was first applied for CuFe 1.2 Al 0.8 O 4 catalysts in methanol steam reforming (MSR). OA 9 (4 4 ) orthogonal experiments were applied to optimize the synthesis process parameters by sol-gel method, including precursor copper source complexing agent, calcination temperature, and calcination time. The MSR performance was selected as the objective function. Results show that copper source has the greatest impact among the four factors on the catalytic performance. The catalytic performance of the catalyst synthesized by using copper hydroxide as the precursor copper source was much better than the other copper sources. For the other three factors, the order of important factors is: calcination time > complexing agent > calcination temperature. According to the results of range analysis, the optimal synthesis process parameters for CuFe 1.2 Al 0.8 O 4 with best MSR performance are as follows: the precursor copper source is copper hydroxide, the calcination time is 2 h, the complexing agent is ethanol and ethylene glycol, and the calcination temperature is 700 °C. The hydrogen production is 0.077 mol/min/g oat , the methanol conversion rate can reach >95%, and the hydrogen selectivity can reach 99%. CuFe 1.2 Al 0.8 O 4 spinel oxide catalyst which synthesized in this study has excellent catalytic performance for hydrogen production in MSR. Its low CO selectivity makes it a potential catalyst for producing high-purity hydrogen. Graphical Abstract Optimization of the synthesis process parameters of sol-gel method using orthogonal experiment was first applied for CuFe 1.2 Al 0.8 O 4 catalysts in methanol steam reforming (MSR). Its low CO selectivity makes it a potential catalyst for producing high-purity hydrogen.