Isotope effect in formaldehyde steam reforming on Pt/m-ZrO2: Insight into chemical promotion by alkalis

Michela Martinelli, Jonas Marcelle, Donald C. Cronauer, A. Jeremy Kropf, Gary Jacobs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Infrared spectroscopy, temperature programmed reaction mass spectrometry (TP-reaction/MS), and catalyst testing were used to investigate alkali promotion of dehydrogenation selectivity during formaldehyde steam reforming (FSR) on Pt/m-ZrO2. In a preferred pathway, formaldehyde reacts with water forming hydrogen and formate, followed by forward formate decomposition to CO2 and H2. Alkali-doping of 2 wt% Pt/m-ZrO2 increases catalyst basicity, which weakens the formate C–H bond promoting formate dehydrogenation / decarboxylation. Promotion by alkali in FSR was observed through a formate ν(CH) band shift to lower wavenumbers in infrared spectroscopy, and through a decrease in the normal isotope effect in switching from H- to D-labeled formaldehyde in TP-reaction/MS.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106668
JournalCatalysis Communications
Volume178
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors

Keywords

  • Alkali
  • Formaldehyde steam reforming
  • Hydrogen production
  • Isotope effect
  • Platinum / zirconia
  • Sodium

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Process Chemistry and Technology

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