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Influence of a fiber-network microstructure of paper-structured catalyst on methanol reforming behavior.
- Source :
-
Journal of Materials Science . Nov2009, Vol. 44 Issue 21, p5836-5841. 6p. 3 Diagrams, 1 Chart, 2 Graphs. - Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- A novel microstructured catalyst that consists of Cu/ZnO catalyst powders and ceramic fibers was successfully prepared using pulp fibers as a tentative matrix by a papermaking technique. As-prepared material, called a paper-structured catalyst, possessed porous microstructure with layered ceramic fiber networks (average pore size ca. 20 μm, porosity ca. 50%). In the process of methanol autothermal reforming (ATR) to produce hydrogen, paper-structured catalysts demonstrated both high methanol conversion and low concentration of undesirable carbon monoxide as compared with catalyst powders and pellets. The catalytic performance of paper-structured catalysts depended on the use of pulp fibers, which were added in the paper-forming process and finally removed by thermal treatment before ATR performance tests. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and mercury intrusion analysis suggested that the tentative pulp fiber matrix played a significant role in regulating the fiber-network microstructure inside paper composites. Various metallic filters with different average pore sizes, used as supports for Cu/ZnO catalysts, were subjected to ATR performance tests for elucidating the pore effects. The tests indicated that the pore sizes of catalyst support had critical effects on the catalytic efficiency: the maximum hydrogen production was achieved by metallic filters with an average pore size of 20 μm. These results suggested that the paper-specific microstructures contributed to form a suitable catalytic reaction environment, possibly by promoting efficient diffusion of heat and reactants. The paper-structured catalyst with a regular pore microstructure is expected to be a promising catalytic material to provide both practical utility and high efficiency in the catalytic gas-reforming process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *MICROSTRUCTURE
*CATALYSTS
*METHANOL
*FIBERS
*COPPER
*ZINC oxide
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00222461
- Volume :
- 44
- Issue :
- 21
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Materials Science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 44217483
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-009-3823-y