Hydrogen production by steam reforming of dimethyl ether over Cu–Zn/CeO2–ZrO2 catalytic monoliths

Several catalytic monoliths containing Cu, Zn, or Cu–Zn supported on CeO2, ZrO2, or CeO2–ZrO2 were prepared and tested for the dimethyl ether steam reforming reaction under a steam to carbon ratio of S/C = 1.5 at 473–823 K. The best catalytic performance in terms of stability, hydrogen yield, and low CO production was obtained over Cu–Zn/ZrO2 catalytic monoliths (2.1 × 10−3 molDME h−1 gcat−1 converted with SH2=96%   and   SCO2=90%SH2=96%   and   SCO2=90% at 753 K). Catalytic monoliths were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, NH3-TPD as well as by long-term catalytic and mechanical stability tests.