Steam reforming of methanol using supported Mo2C catalysts

Two supported molybdenum carbide catalysts, Mo2C supported on γ-alumina (Mo2C/γ-Al2O3) and zirconia (Mo2C/ZrO2), were investigated as an alternative catalyst for steam reforming of methanol. The catalysts were prepared by a temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) method, and it was found that the supported Mo2C catalysts are superior to an unsupported catalyst, with Mo2C/ZrO2 having a higher hydrogen yield than Mo2C/γ-Al2O3. We hypothesize that the suppression of methanation by interaction between molybdenum carbide and the zirconia support resulted in the increased hydrogen yield. Results from diffuse-reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) suggested that the ability of the zirconia support to retain methoxy groups while resisting the formation of hydroxyl groups on its surface is a key factor leading to a molybdenum carbide/zirconia support interaction which suppresses methanation. Under the operating conditions of a steam-to-carbon ratio of 1 and 400 °C, the reforming activity of the Mo2C/ZrO2 catalyst remained stable for longer than 10 h.

Graphical abstractMo2C supported on zirconia has shown the potential to be a promising reforming catalyst to produce hydrogen from methanol. At 400 °C with a steam-to-carbon ratio of one, 97% of methanol conversion and 62% of hydrogen yield can be achieved by using supported Mo2C/ZrO2 catalyst. The hydrogen production rate is 20 μmol/g s at WHSV of 3 h−1. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide