Influence of Boehmite and Aluminum Nitrate on Synthesis of CuO(45)/ZnO(40)/Al2O3(15) Nanocomposite Used in Steam Reforming of Methanol for Hydrogen Production

Steam reforming of methanol over nanocatalysts and nanocomposites is one of the promising methods for hydrogen production which is attracted by scientists. It is important to note that the precursor can play a major role in the preparation of these materials. In this research, CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 nanocomposite with different alumina precursors of boehmite and aluminum nitrate was prepared via urea-nitrate combustion method. The physiochemical properties of nanocomposites were assessed by XRD, BET, FESEM, EDX and FTIR techniques. The catalytic performance of the synthesized samples in steam reforming of methanol was investigated. The XRD results showed that lower crystals size for nanocomposite synthesized with aluminum nitrate and FESEM images confirmed better dispersion on the surface of this sample. BET analysis showed higher surface area for catalyst synthesized with boehmite. The catalytic performance tests in steam reforming of methanol illustrated slightly higher methanol conversion for the sample with aluminum nitrate source while the boehmite derived sample performed much better in less CO formation. The boehmite sample was also stable for 480 min in the SRM reaction.