Electrochemical activation of the catalytic methanol reforming reaction for H2 production

The effect of electrochemical promotion has been investigated for the first time in the methanol reforming reaction for H2 production using a thin Pt film deposited on a K-βAl2O3 beta solid electrolyte. The electrochemical pumping of K+ ions from the solid electrolyte support to the metal thin film allowed enhancing strongly the H2, CO2 and CO production rates at all explored reaction conditions. Specifically, H2 production rate was five-fold increased under the optimal potential conditions. The promotional phenomenon was found to be reversible due to the activation of H2O molecules that led to the removal of carbonaceous species intermediates occurring in secondary reactions of the methanol reforming reaction mechanism.

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► The NEMCA effect has been applied in a new catalytic reaction (methanol reforming).
► The electrochemical pumping of K+ ions enhances the H2 production.
► It allows to maximize the H2 production rate at varying reaction temperatures.
► The strong promotional effect was attributed to the water activation step.