New catalytic functions of Pd–Zn, Pd–Ga, Pd–In, Pt–Zn, Pt–Ga and Pt–In alloys in the conversions of methanol

Pd and Pt supported on ZnO, Ga2O3 and In2O3 exhibit high catalytic performance for the steam reforming of methanol, CH3OH+H2O→CO2+3HH2, and the dehydrogenation of methanol to HCOOCH3, 2CH3OH→HCOOCH3+2HH2. Combined results with temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and XRD method revealed that Pd–Zn, Pd–Ga, Pd–In, Pt–Zn, Pt–Ga and Pt–In alloys were produced upon reduction. Over the catalysts having the alloy phase, the reactions proceeded selectively, whereas the catalysts having metallic phase exhibited poor selectivities.