NiCu Alloy/Perovskite Nanoparticle Catalyst for Methanol Steam Reforming via Prereduction and In Situ Exsolution Technology

A La0.9Ce0.1Mn0.8Ni0.1Cu0.1O3 (LCMNCu) perovskite nanomaterialwithin situ-exsolved metallic nanoparticles (Re-LCMNCu) was fabricatedsuccessfully and acted as a catalyst for methanol steam reforming.Due to the fine and uniform NiCu alloy nanoparticles (similar to 35 nm)exsolved from the ceramic substrate, Re-LCMNCu displayed a stableconversion of methanol above 99% at 350 degrees C and maintained a hydrogenproduction rate of 285 mmol h(-1) g(cat) (-1) for 60 h, with a negligible amount of CO in the outletgas. The NiCu alloy played an important role in catalytic activity,and the optimal prereduction treatment condition for catalyst activationwas determined to be 6 h. Upon further examination, the NiCu alloypartially embedded into the substrate ensured high catalytic performanceand the synergy between the NiCu alloy, CeO2 promoter,and perovskite substrate with more oxygen vacancies improved the catalyticactivity of Re-LCMNCu catalysts.