Influence of copper precursors in the steam reforming of methanol over Cu/SnO2/SiO2 catalysts

Abstract

Cu/SnO2/SiO2 catalysts, prepared with three different copper precursors (copper nitrate, sulfate and chloride), were characterized and investigated for the steam reforming of methanol. Cu/SnO2/SiO2 catalyst, prepared with copper nitrate, showed the highest activity among the tested catalysts. The highest activity of the catalyst prepared with copper nitrate was ascribed to the highly dispersed Cu particles from CO adsorption experiment. The selectivity of methanol to H-2 decreased with an increase in the amount of acid on the surface Of CU/SnO2/SiO2 catalysts from FF-IR experiments.