Catalytic Activity of Ni3Al Foils in Methanol Reforming

Abstract

Intermetallic Ni3Al–based alloys (doped with zirconium and boron) represent a group of advanced materials with potential outstanding physical and chemical properties (such as high catalytic activity and structural stability in corrosive environments) that make them a considerable candidate for many high-tech applications. In this paper, the catalytic activity of fully dense Ni3Al-based thin foils (as thin as 50 m) possessing structures with micrometer or nanometer grain sizes is discussed. The examined material, without any additional catalytic coating, was successfully produced from as-cast coarse-grained sheets by heavy cold rolling and recrystallisation with an appropriately chosen set of parameters. The examination focuses on methanol and methanol/water mixture decomposition into H2 and CO at temperatures up to 530OC in a quartz reactor. Except for these products, a small amount (below 1%) of CO2 and dimethyl ether was observed. The catalyzed reaction began effectively at about 400OC, with a methanol conversion of about 90% or higher.