Rare earth-doped CuAl2O4 catalysts with superior catalytic performance for methanol steam reforming

To develop efficient catalyst for methanol steam reforming, Ce, Pr, and La-doped CuAl₂O₄ spinel composite catalysts were prepared using a one-step sol-gel method. The impact of rare earth promoter on the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of CuAl₂O₄ spinel was investigated through various characterizations. Results indicated that the three rare earth-doped CuAl₂O₄ spinels demonstrated higher activity than the undoped CuAl₂O₄ spinel. Among them, the La-doped CuAl₂O₄ spinel showed the highest methanol conversion and hydrogen production rate, the lowest CO selectivity, and the best long-term stability. The La-doped CuAl₂O₄ spinel possessed superior physicochemical characteristics, such as small grain size, uniform elemental distribution, low band-gap energy, appropriate reducibility, strong alkalinity, and favorable surface chemical state. The present work suggested La-promoted CuAl₂O₄ spinel as a efficient candidate for methanol steam reforming catalyst.