Catalytic performance of NiSn and NiSn for hydrogen production from methanol decomposition

Fan, M.*; Xu, Y.*; Sakurai, Junya*; Demura, Masahiko*; Hirano, Toshiyuki*; Teraoka, Yuden; Yoshigoe, Akitaka 

In this study, the catalytic properties of NiSn and NiSn powders were investigated for producing hydrogen from decomposing methanol in the temperatures from 593 to 953 K. The catalytic activities of NiSn and NiSn both increased with increasing temperature, but NiSn showed much higher catalytic activity than NiSn. The results of an isothermal test performed at 873 K revealed that the catalytic activity of NiSn significantly increased with methanol decomposition time, indicating that NiSn was spontaneously activated. NiSn and NiSn both showed a high degree of selectivity and both suppressed side reactions such as methanation and water-gas shift reaction. Surface analysis revealed that fine Ni-Sn particles were formed together with carbon deposited onto the catalyst surface. These Ni-Sn particles were supposed to serve as active sites for methanol decomposition.