The composition (CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 = 30/60/10) of a commercial catalyst G66B was used as a reference for designing CuO/ZnO/CeO2/ZrO2/Al2O3 catalysts for the steam reforming of methanol (SRM). The effects of ZnO, CeO2, ZrO2 and Al2O3 on the SRM reaction were clearly identified. CeO2, ZrO2 and Al2O3 all improved the dispersions of CuO and ZnO in CuO/ZnO/CeO2/ZrO2/Al2O3 catalysts. Zirconium oxide promoted the SRM reaction and slightly reduced the concentration of CO, but CeO2 and Al2O3 weakened the SRM reaction. The introduction of ZrO2 into CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 (30/60/10) improved the reducibility and stability of the catalyst. The addition of CeO2 or Al2O3 hindered the reducibility of the catalyst and weakened the interaction between CuO and ZnO. Nevertheless, an appropriate amount of Al2O3 was needed for the stability and the mechanical strength of the catalysts. The CuO/ZnO/ZrO2/Al2O3 (30/40/20/10) and CuO/ZnO/ZrO2/Al2O3 (40/30/20/10) catalysts are good candidates for the SRM, as determined by comparison with the commercial catalyst G66B. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
