Catalytic Activity Enhancement of Cu-Zn-Based Catalyst for Methanol Steam Reforming with Magnetic Inducement

Magnetic inducement was applied during metal loading to enhance Cu-Zn catalysts for methanol steam reforming in the temperature range of 200-300 degrees C. The supports used in this study were the gamma-Al2O3 support and CeO2-Al2O3 supports prepared under different magnetic environments. Cu-Zn loading between the north and south poles (N-S) on the CeO2-Al2O3 support, prepared between two north poles (N-N), led to the highest H-2 production at 300 degrees C (2796 +/- 76 mu mol/min), which is triple that of Cu-Zn/CeO2-Al2O3 prepared without magnetic inducement and similar to 11-fold the activity of the Cu-Zn/Al2O3 reference catalyst. The N-S magnetic environment during metal loading leads to lower reduction temperatures and larger Cu(1+):Cu(2+) ratio. These results showed that the pole arrangement of magnets during metal loading could affect the catalytic activity of the Cu-Zn catalyst owing to its influence on the reducibility and the oxidation state of Cu active metal.

Automated summary

Applying magnetic inducement during metal loading can enhance the Cu-Zn catalyst for methanol steam reforming, leading to higher H2 production. The pole arrangement of magnets during metal loading affects the catalytic activity of the Cu-Zn catalyst by influencing the reducibility and oxidation state of Cu active metal. The N-S magnetic environment results in lower reduction temperatures and a larger Cu(1+):Cu(2+) ratio, ultimately improving the catalyst's performance.