Hydrogen production by oxidative steam reforming of methanol over Au/CeO2 catalysts

The production of hydrogen by oxidative steam reforming of methanol (OSRM) was investigated over a series of Au/CeO2 catalysts prepared by deposition–precipitation. The optimum operating conditions over 5 wt% Au/CeO2 (calcined at 400 °C, GHSV = 30 000 mL/h-gcat, T = 300 °C, H2O/CH3OH molar ratio = 2/1, and O2/CH3OH molar ratio = 1.25/1) could be suggested to obtain 100% methanol conversion and 24.5% hydrogen yield. Additionally, the Au catalyst having an average particle size of 10.04 nm and the highest amount of Au0 species (active sites for the OSRM reaction) on the catalyst support exhibited the highest activity. Based on the stability observation, the catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity over a long period, even though catalyst deactivation caused by both coke formation and sintering was found.

► Au/CeO2 prepared by deposition–precipitation as a catalyst. ► Catalysts for oxidative steam reforming of methanol. ► Calcination at high temperature enables the growth of Au particles. ► Coke formation and metal sintering effects were found at a temperature of 300 °C.