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Free keywords:
Cu/ZrO2, oxynitride, methanol steam reforming, X-ray, XAS, XRD
26, Cu nanoparticles
Abstract:
Cu containing catalysts have been shown to be sufficiently active and selective for methanol steam reforming. Cu on ZrO2 exhibits an improved activity and selectivity compared to a commercial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst. Modifying the cation lattice of the ZrO2 support by incorporation of metals may vary the properties of these catalysts. Conversely, in this contribution we report on modifying the anion lattice of ZrO2 by incorporation of nitrogen. The bulk structure of the resulting Cu/Zr(ON) catalysts was characterized and studied in situ under MSR conditions by XRD and XAS. Cu/Zr(ON) catalysts are active and selective for the steam reforming of methanol. Both preparation method of the copper phase and nitrogen incorporation into the anion lattice of ZrO2 exhibit a pronounced effect on the structure activity correlations.