Preparation and catalytic behavior of second metal Ni supported on a novel conductive structured Cu/γ-Al2O3/Al catalysts through electrolysis on steam reforming of dimethyl ether

•Different conditions of electrochemical treatment were studied.•The modified γ-Al2O3/Al support showed higher electric conductivity than before.•The anti-sintering Ni/Cu/EC-γ-Al2O3/Al catalyst was prepared through electrolysis.•The novel Ni–Cu catalyst exhibited excellent stability for 40 h at 623 K in DME SR.

Electrochemical treatment was employed to improve the electric conductivity of γ-Al2O3/Al. Optimal conditions were found to be 0.5 M KCl solution along with potential of 4 V for 7.5 min. The modified γ-Al2O3/Al support showed higher catalytic activity at low temperature because of its bigger specific surface area and more acid amount than γ-Al2O3/Al. Moreover, Ni was easily loaded on the modified Cu/γ-Al2O3/Al catalyst through electrolysis because of the high electric conductivity. The novel Ni/Cu/γ-Al2O3/Al catalyst also exhibited excellent stability for 40 h at 623 K with 100% conversion and 70% H2 yield in steam reforming of dimethyl ether.

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