Novel Pt/MoS2 nanosheet catalyst for hydrogen production via aqueous-phase reforming of methanol

Four kinds of Pt supported catalysts: Pt/MoS2 nanosheets, Pt/MoS2 bulk, Pt/Al2O3 and Pt/graphene were prepared through incipient wetness impregnation method. The catalytic activity of these catalysts were investigated for low temperature aqueous-phase reforming of methanol (APRM) reaction to produce H2. Among these catalysts, 2% (wt%) Pt/MoS2 nanosheets exhibited the highest catalytic activity for APRM with a H2 production rate of 4.85 µmol gcat−1 s−1 at 220 °C. Scanning electron microscope was used to check the overall morphology of MoS2 nanosheets. Transmission electron microscope was used to detect number of layers of MoS2 nanosheets as well as Pt particle size distribution. Characterizations results illustrated that the thickness of MoS2 nanosheets and Pt particle size are two main reasons influencing the catalytic performance of Pt/MoS2 nanosheets for APRM reaction. Furthermore, the results of temperature-programmed surface reaction proved that MoS2 nanosheets promoted Pt enables higher H2 production in APRM reaction.