Effect of CeO2 on Cu/Zn-Al Catalysts Derived from Hydrotalcite Precursor for Methanol Steam Reforming

ZnAl-LDHs was synthesized on gamma-Al2O3 by in situ synthesis method. Moreover, the Ce/Cu/Zn-Al catalysts were prepared by ordinal wet impregnation method and applied to methanol steam reforming. The effect of cerium content on Cu/Zn-Al catalysts was discussed for methanol steam reforming. The catalysts were studied by XRD, SEM, H-2-TPR, N-2 adsorption techniques and chemisorption N2O. The results showed that the addition of CeO2 improved the copper dispersion, copper surface area and catalyst reducibility. The catalytic activity and hydrogen production rate was also promoted thereby. When the Ce content was 4%, the catalyst exhibited the best catalytic activity, that was, the methanol conversion was 100% and the molar fraction of CO was 0. 39% at 250 degrees C in hydrogen production by methanol steam reforming. Compared to the Cu/ZnAl catalyst, the methanol conversion increased by almost 40%.