title: ZnO is a CO(2)-selective steam reforming catalyst.
abstract: ZnO was tested as possible methanol and - since formaldehyde is one of the key intermediates in methanol conversion reactions - also as formaldehyde steam reforming catalyst. Catalytic experiments in a batch as well as a flow reactor resulted in highly selective steam reforming, though at low specific activities, of formaldehyde and methanol over ZnO toward CO(2) (selectivity of 95-99.6%). Comparison of the behavior of ZnPd near-surface intermetallic phases, unsupported intermetallic ZnPd and supported ZnPd/ZnO catalysts reveals that formaldehyde is formed from methanol in parallel with CO(2) on the former, while on unsupported intermetallic ZnPd and ZnO-supported ZnPd, it is efficiently reacted toward CO(2), thus, a beneficial role of ZnO in oxidizing formaldehyde-derived intermediates toward CO(2) is evident.
authors: Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52a, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors: Harald
authors: H
authors: Lorenz
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Friedrich
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Armbrüster
authors: Bernhard
authors: B
authors: Klötzer
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Penner