CuO – activated carbon catalysts for methanol decomposition to hydrogen and carbon monoxide

Abstract

A comparison of the abilities of CuO – activated carbon catalysts, prepared by different copper precursors and preparation techniques, in the methanol decomposition reaction to carbon monoxide and hydrogen was undertaken. Higher catalytic activity and stability are found for the catalysts obtained from an ammonia solution of copper carbonate. The nature of the catalytic active complex in the samples is also discussed. Key words: methanol decomposition, CuO – activated carbon catalysts, catalytic active complex.