Fuel cell-grade hydrogen production from methanol over sonochemical coprecipitated copper based nanocatalyst: Influence of irradiation power and time on catalytic properties and performance

Ceria promoted copper based nanocatalysts successfully were prepared by co-precipitation and sono-coprecipitation methods. By applying ultrasound irradiation, surface morphology changed dramatically. Leaves like particles in micrometer scale were obtained in co-precipitation method while spherical nanoparticles achieved in the sonochemical coprecipitation method. The sonochemical coprecipitation method created a homogeneous environment for production of nanoparticles with narrow distribution particle size. In all temperatures sample prepared by conventional co-precipitation showed weak performance in methanol conversion. Whilst the sample fabricated by the sonochemical coprecipitation synthesis method and was sonicated at 90 W for 15 min exhibited the best activity in terms of methanol conversion.179