A highly active and hydrothermal-resistant Cu/ZnO@NC catalyst for aqueous phase reforming of methanol to hydrogen. (5th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Zefeng; Fang, Yanxiong; Yang, Jianhan; Ma, Liang; Meng, Qingwei; Lin, Xi; Liu, Yujia; Zhang, Qian; Wang, Tiejun
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 47:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 950
• Page End: 961
• Publication Date: 2022-01-05
• Subjects: Aqueous-phase reforming of methanol -- Copper catalysts -- Hydrothermal stability -- ZIF-8; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.10.070
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Aqueous-phase reforming (APR) of methanol provides a safe way to store and transport hydrogen by in situ production of H2 . It remains, however, a challenge to develop an efficient and hydrothermal-stable non-noble-metal catalyst. Herein, a robust Cu/ZnO@NC catalyst is successfully constructed by encapsulating Cu/ZnO species in nitrogen-doped carbon (NC), using ZIF-8 as precursor. It is demonstrated that the activity for APR of methanol increases exponentially with rise of catalyst wettability. With good wettability, a high hydrogen releasing rate of 146.9 μmol·gcat −1 ·s −1 is achieved on the 27%Cu/ZnO@NC catalyst at 230 °C, about four times higher than that of a traditional 29%Cu/ZnO catalyst, and surprisingly comparable to a commercial Pt/C catalyst. Notably, Cu/ZnO@NC also shows excellent stability, as the NC coating protects ZnO from hydrolyzing and prevents aggregation of Cu nanoparticle largely in the severe aqueous-phase-reaction conditions. This work develops a convenient method to prepare efficient and hydrothermal-stable catalyst with commercial potential. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A Cu/ZnO@NC catalyst with Cu/ZnO species encapsulated in NC is developed. The activity of Cu/ZnO@NC is comparable to that of a commercial Pt/C catalyst. The Cu/ZnO@NC exhibits much better hydrothermal stability than Cu/ZnO catalyst. The NC coating prevents hydrolyzing of ZnO and aggregation of Cu nanoparticles. Cu/ZnO@NC shows good wettability favorable for APR reaction.