The role of promoters in Cu/Acid‐MMT catalysts for production of hydrogen via steam reforming of dimethyl ether.

Background: The steam reforming of dimethyl ether (DME) is one of the promising technologies for high‐efficiency hydrogen production. The key issue for the steam reforming of DME is the development of catalysts with higher performance. In this study, a series of X‐Cu/Acid‐MMT (X = Co, Ni, Zr, Ce) catalysts were prepared via the impregnation method using Acid‐MMT obtained by montmorillonite activated with nitric acid (20 wt%) at 80 °C for 12 h as the support and metallic nitrate as precursor. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, H2‐TPR, XPS, N2O titration and N2 adsorption–desorption at low temperature. Results: The introduction of promoter X could reduce the interaction between Cu and the support, and more CuO was reduced to Cu0; meanwhile, it was beneficial for improving the dispersion of Cu. This would enhance the reaction rate of steam reforming of DME. Therefore, the introduction of promoter X significantly increased DME conversion, especially Ni‐Cu/Acid‐MMT presented the maximum DME conversion. However, Ni‐Cu/Acid‐MMT exhibited low H2 yield, high selectivity of CO and CH4 due to reverse water gas shift reaction and methanation reaction. Co‐Cu/Acid‐MMT catalyst presented the maximum H2 yield, high conversion of DME, relatively low selectivity of CH4 and better stability. Conclusions: The introduction of promoters to Cu/Acid‐MMT catalyst improved the catalyst performance for the steam reforming of DME. Among these catalysts, Co‐Cu/Acid‐MMT exhibited remarkable catalytic performance, which is expected to be a potential catalyst for steam reforming of DME. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]