Catalytic properties of alkali-leached Ni3Al for hydrogen production from methanol

The catalytic properties of Ni3Al intermetallics were studied for hydrogen production from methanol. It is found that the alkali-leached Ni3Al powders show a high catalytic activity for the methanol decomposition (CH3OH --> 2H(2) + CO). The rate of hydrogen production increases rapidly with increasing reaction temperature. Furthermore, the Ni3Al catalysts suppress the formation of methane and water gas shift reaction, i.e. they show higher selectivity for methanol decomposition than nickel catalysts. These results indicate that the Ni3Al catalysts are highly promising as a catalyst for hydrogen production. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.