Synthesis, characterization, and methanol steam reforming performance of Cu/perovskite-structured catalysts

In the present work, Cu/perovskite-type structures of the general formula Cu/Ca(ZrxTi1-x)O3 (x = 1, 0.8, 0.6) were synthesized via sol-gel process and afterwards using wetness impregnation method to prepare copper-based catalysts. The physicochemical properties of the prepared cat-alysts were studied using XRD, SEM, NH3-TPD, H2-TPR and TGA analyses. Structural properties of the catalysts were measured through Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis (BET). These catalytic systems were also found to be highly active, selective and sustainable. In this regard, methanol conversion, H2 selectivity and CO selectivity were investigated and monitored by gas chroma-tography (GC). A high methanol conversion with a good selectivity of H2, low CO selectivity and low coke formation were achieved in steam reforming of methanol. Importantly, the morpho-logical features of the synthesized Cu/perovskite-type porous structures contribute in improve-ment of catalytic activity. An obvious outcome of this study is the remarkable activity of prepared Cu/Ca(Zr0.6Ti0.4)O3 catalyst in methanol steam reforming at 300 degrees C due to 98.5% methanol conversion and 85.5% hydrogen selectivity.

Automated summary

In this study, Cu/perovskite-type structures of the general formula Cu/Ca(ZrxTi1-x)O3 (x = 1, 0.8, 0.6) were synthesized via sol-gel process and wetness impregnation method. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were analyzed using various techniques. The catalysts showed high activity, selectivity, and sustainability, with significant improvement in catalytic activity due to the morphological features of the synthesized Cu/perovskite-type porous structures. Notably, the prepared Cu/Ca(Zr0.6Ti0.4)O3 catalyst exhibited remarkable activity in methanol steam reforming.