Cu supported on various oxides as a candidate catalyst for dry methane reforming in DIR-SOFCs systems
Adrian Mizera, Patryk Błaszczak, Beata Bochentyn, Radosław Lach, Ewa Drożdż
Abstract
A series of Cu-support systems were tested as potential candidates for DIR-SOFC (Direct Internal Reforming SOFC) catalysts towards a dry reforming of methane (DRM). The various supports (α-Al2O3, CeO2, ZrO2, SrTiO3) with comparable specific surface area (SSA), and additionally γ-Al2O3 with SSA an order of magnitude larger than that of the other supports has been applied. The obtained Cu-support systems were characterized in terms of structure (XRD, XPS), microstructure (SEM), redox properties (TPR/TPOx), and next their catalytic activity and selectivity in DRM reaction were tested. All Cu-support materials show catalytic activity in DRM reaction, but only activity of Cu–SrTiO3 is high (due to the incorporation of Cu into SrTiO3 structure). The catalytic activity of other materials depends on the copper oxidation state (Cu2+ and Cu+). The highest catalytic activity in DRM process was obtained for Cu–AlO(OH) catalyst thanks to an order of greater SSA than in the case of other systems.