A composite having a porous substrate and polyhedral Cu-Fe oxide nanoparticles showing high catalytic activity during the steam reforming of methanol at low temperatures

Abstract The steam reforming of methanol (SRM) to generate hydrogen is a potentially viable means of reducing the present reliance on fossil fuels. Although Cu-based catalysts are commonly employed to promote the SRM, obtaining more efficient catalytic performance at low temperatures remains challenging. Herein, we report a one-step dealloying route to the synthesis of a composite catalyst comprising a porous substrate and polyhedral Cu-Fe oxide nanoparticles. When applied to the SRM, this composite exhibited a hydrogen yield of 364.33 mL·kg−1·s−1 under atmospheric pressure at temperatures as low as 493 K, together with a methanol conversion of 89.86% and negligible carbon monoxide generation. Analyses of the metal valences in this catalyst indicated that elemental Cu played a crucial role in the catalytic reaction.