NiCu Alloy/Perovskite Nanoparticle Catalyst for Methanol Steam Reforming via Prereduction and In Situ Exsolution Technology

A La0.9Ce0.1Mn0.8Ni0.1Cu0.1O3 (LCMNCu) perovskite nanomaterial with in situ-exsolved metallic nanoparticles (Re-LCMNCu) was fabricated successfully and acted as a catalyst for methanol steam reforming. Due to the fine and uniform NiCu alloy nanoparticles (∼35 nm) exsolved from the ceramic substrate, Re-LCMNCu displayed a stable conversion of methanol above 99% at 350 °C and maintained a hydrogen production rate of 285 mmol h–1 gcat–1 for 60 h, with a negligible amount of CO in the outlet gas. The NiCu alloy played an important role in catalytic activity, and the optimal prereduction treatment condition for catalyst activation was determined to be 6 h. Upon further examination, the NiCu alloy partially embedded into the substrate ensured high catalytic performance and the synergy between the NiCu alloy, CeO2 promoter, and perovskite substrate with more oxygen vacancies improved the catalytic activity of Re-LCMNCu catalysts.