Time-resolved XANES investigation of CuO/ZnO in the oxidative methanol reforming reaction

CuO/ZnO catalysts were examined by time-resolved X-ray absorption spectrosc opy during oxidative reforming of methanol, tinder low oxygen conversion co nditions, Cu2+ was the dominant copper species and combustion of methanol t o carbon dioxide and water was the primary reaction. After complete oxygen conversion, Cu2+ was reduced to Cu-0 while the principal activity of the ca talyst shifted to steam reforming, where the dominant product was hydrogen. Cu+ was observed as a transient species in the reduction of Cu2+ to Cu-0 a nd no activity was attributed to it. Increasing the oxygen partial pressure increased the rate of reduction of Cu2+ This observation was attributed to a heating effect associated with an enhancement of the combustion rate. Ad ditional experiments showed that the catalyst could recover its original ac tivity after a reduction/oxidation cycle. (C) 2001 Academic Press.