Stable and selective hydrogen production through steam reforming of dimethyl ether with an Al2O3 and PdZn composite catalyst

•A simple composite catalyst of Al2O3 and PdZn is promising for steam reforming of dimethyl ether.•The optimized catalyst is a mixture of Al2O3 and PdZn in 9:1 in weight.•A 94% H2 yield can be achieved at 100% conversion over the optimized catalyst at 400 °C.•The optimized composite catalyst works satisfactorily with no deactivation at 400 °C.

Hydrogen production through steam reforming of dimethyl ether was investigated with a simple composite catalyst prepared by physically mixing two active components of Al2O3 and PdZn alloy. A mixture in a weight ratio of 9/1 (Al2O3/PdZn) gave an excellent catalytic performance at 400 °C with a 94% H2 yield at 100% conversion. Hydrolysis of dimethyl ether to methanol occurred on Al2O3, followed by steam reforming of methanol formed on PdZn alloy. The composite catalyst showed good stability and durability and no catalyst deactivation was observed at such a high temperature.

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