In-situ self-assembled Cu2O/ZnO core-shell catalysts synergistically enhance the durability of methanol steam reforming

The CuZnO catalyst with excellent low-temperature catalytic activity is widely used in methanol steam reforming (MSR). Here, a series of CuZnO/γ-Al2O3/Al catalysts were prepared by a two-step impregnation method using structured γ-Al2O3/Al support. The unique synergistic effect of Cu2O/ZnO on MSR was found by the experimental and numerical investigation. The experimental characterization results show that the decoration of ZnO can regulate the content of Cu+ on the catalytic surface, and the increase of Cu+ shortens the self-activation response time of the catalyst. During the self-activation process, ZnO-encapsulated Cu nanoparticles (Cu NPs) surface induced by strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) was observed. The encapsulation not only inhibited the agglomeration of Cu NPs but also formed a large number of new Cu2O/ZnO synergistic sites. Furtherly, the numerical calculation show that the Cu2O/ZnO synergistic sites significantly reduced the activation energy of methoxy dehydrogenation (the rate-determining step of MSR).