Characterization of Cu-ZnO-ZrO2 catalysts for stream reforming of methanol by in situ Raman spectroscopy

Characterization of Cu2ZnO2ZrO2 catalysts for stream reforming of methanol ( SRM) by in situ Raman spectroscopy has been done. The results have been contrasted with those from reaction of methanol synthesis (MS) over the same catalysts. The results indicated that there are four Raman peaks on the surface of the catalyst for SRM reaction. The Raman spectra of 54418 cm - 1 were assigned to CuO2ZnO , 65218 cm - 1 to ZrO2 , 136118 cm - 1 to symmetry flex oscillatory adsorption of HCOO—Cu and 159013 cm - 1 to asymmetry flex oscillatory adsorption of OCO in formic acid species , respectively. The peak of 1350 cm - 1 and three peaks of 1550 , 1585 and 1595 cm - 1 were assigned to Raman flex adsorbed band of formic acidic group and formic acidic salt on surface of catalyst for methanol synthesis. So formic acidic group existed on the surface of the catalysts for SRM and MS reactions. This result has an important significance for mechanism knowledge of SRM and MS reactions. Keywords Cu2ZnO2ZrO2 , stream reforming of methanol , methanol synthesis , in situ Raman spectroscopy