Catalytic hydrogen production from dimethyl ether over CuFe2O4 spinel-based composites: Hydrogen reduction and metal dopant effects

Investigation of hydrogen reduction pretreatment and metal doping to Cu–Fe spinel catalyst coupled with γ-alumina was performed in dimethyl ether steam reforming for hydrogen production. The high activity and stability of the catalysts were achieved when the catalysts were reduced at or below 350 °C due to the stability of obtained Cu and Fe3O4 phases. Reduction at higher temperatures of 450 and 600 °C would bring about the decrease in activity and stability because the resultant Fe3O4 was further reduced to metallic Fe, and sintering of metallic Cu and Fe proceeded. Dopants (Mn, Cr, Co, and Al) could affect the reforming performance in terms of both activity and selectivity to products.