Redox Behavior of a Copper-Based Methanol Reformer for Fuel Cell Applications

Remarkable cycling performance and operation during steam reforming of methanol at 210 degrees C can be obtained with a CuZnAlOx catalyst supported on the gas diffusion layer of a carbon paper incorporated into the fuel cell anode compartment. Exceptional stability is obtained for at least 100 h under reaction conditions. whereas 10-15% deactivation is obtained afterwards, in accordance with typical behavior for copper-based catalysts. Despite that most catalysts of this type suffer from pyrophoricity and sintering phenomena after exposure in air, this is not the case in the present work, where the proposed methanol reformer shows high tolerance under repeated on/off cycles. In accordance with in situ characterization under similar conditions, controlled passivation during shut-down protects the active metallic copper and prevents undesirable sintering.