Ultrasound-assisted copper deposition on a polymer membrane and application for methanol steam reforming

Copper particles were electrolessly deposited on a palladium aerosol activated polymer membrane in the presence of ultrasound. An application of ultrasound introduced a faster deposition (220 μg min−1 in deposition rate) and finer copper particles (9 nm in crystallite size) than those (11 and 41 μg min−1; 27 and 32 nm) in the absence of ultrasound (i.e. respectively 20 and 45 °C in bath temperature with mechanical agitation). A better performance of methanol steam reforming (0.59 in mean conversion during 5 h operation; 1.3 and 1.6 times respectively higher than those from 20 to 45 °C cases) at a 300 °C reaction temperature was materialized for the ultrasound application, probably due to a finer (i.e. a more textured) copper particle deposition on a polymer membrane.

► Cu deposition on a Pd aerosol activated membrane is performed with ultrasound.
► Ultrasound induces fine, textured Cu deposits on a Pd aerosol activated membrane.
► Ultrasound during Cu deposition enhances a performance of methanol steam reforming.