Mo2C/Zro2 Catalyst Used for Steam Reforming of Methanol

A supported molybdenum carbide catalyst, Mo2C supported on zirconia (Mo2C/ZrO2), was investigated as an alternative catalyst for steam reforming of methanol. The catalyst was prepared by a temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) method, and it was found that the supported Mo2C catalysts are superior to an unsupported catalyst. It is hypothesized that the zirconia support plays a synergistic role during methanol steam reforming, probably by altering the reaction pathway. The suppression of methanation and the promotion of the water-gas shift (WGS) reaction by the interaction between molybdenum carbide and the zirconia support resulted in the increased hydrogen yield. The optimum operating conditions were observed at a steam-to-carbon ratio of one and 400 oC. At these conditions, the reforming activity remained stable for longer than ten hours.