Activity enhancement of CuZn-impregnated FSM-16 by modification with 1,3-butanediol for steam reforming of methanol

Catalytic activities of CuZn-impregnated FSM-16 catalysts, prepared by the conventional impregnation method and a modified impregnation method with 1,3-butanediol, in steam reforming of methanol were examined. The catalytic activity of the modified CuZn-impregnated FSM-16 was remarkably higher than that of the one prepared by the conventional impregnation method. Characterization of the catalysts by XRD and TPR showed that the enhancement in catalytic activity is due to an improvement in copper dispersion. The amount of 1,3-butanediol, the calcination temperature, and the amount of metal loading were varied to seek the optimal catalyst with the highest methanol conversion. Besides 1,3-butanediol, other organic compounds such as 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol, and citric acid also resulted in an enhancement in catalytic activity, while propanol did not.From Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 46, No. 1, 2005, pp. 64–72.Original English Text Copyright © 2005 by Jakdetchai, Takayama, Nakajima.This article was submitted by the authors in English.