An improved Cu/ZnO catalyst promoted by Sc2O3 for hydrogen production from methanol reforming

Abstract Copper sintering at temperatures above 200 °C has been a big challenge for the application of copper-based catalysts in methanol reforming for hydrogen production. In the present work, a Cu/ZnO catalyst promoted by Sc2O3 was developed, which is capable of converting methanol into hydrogen-rich gas with good activity and decent stability in the temperature range of 220–600 °C. The role of Sc in Cu/Sc2O3-ZnO catalysts was explored through the XRD, H2-TPR, N2O chemisorption, TEM, Raman, and XPS analyses. The results indicated that ZnO lattice was doped with the Sc3+ ion, which led to increased metal dispersion, strengthened interaction between Cu metal and support oxide, and subsequently enhanced catalytic activity and stability of the Cu/Sc2O3-ZnO catalyst in methanol reforming for hydrogen production.