Low-temperature aqueous-phase dehydrogenation of methanol catalyzed by synergistic Ir single-atom and cluster dual sites

Aqueous-phase reforming of methanol (APRM) offers a promising route for efficient hydrogen generation and safe transportation, yet it typically requires harsh conditions (above 200°C, 25-50 bar) and energy-intensive purification. Here, we report a heterogeneous catalyst featuring synergistic Ir single-atom and cluster dual sites that enables efficient hydrogen production from methanol and water at record-low temperatures (75°C-95°C) and ambient pressure. This unique ensemble effect drives a tandem reaction pathway, with Ir clusters promoting methanol dehydrogenation to formic acid, while adjacent Ir single atoms facilitate rapid formic acid decomposition into H₂ and CO₂ to suppress CO intermediates. As a result, the developed catalyst achieves a remarkable hydrogen production rate of 346.9 mol_H2 mol_Ir ^-1 h^-1 and 100% H₂ selectivity with no detectable CO formation. To the best of our knowledge, this represents one of the lowest temperature ranges demonstrated for efficient methanol-to-hydrogen conversion via heterogeneous catalysis, advancing methanol as a practical liquid H₂ carrier for on-demand high-purity hydrogen production.