Cerium zirconium lanthanum dioxide catalyst supports impregnated with platinum/palladium for the methanol steam reforming reaction

In this investigation, a combinatorial study was carried out in order to identify a ceria/zirconia/lanthanum support based platinum/palladium catalyst to be used in the methanol steam reforming reaction. A central composite design (CCD) factorial study of ceria to lanthanum ratios was tested to identify whether the activity of the platinum/palladium catalyst was independent of the support. Lanthanum was incorporated into the support in order to increase the concentration of oxygen defects in the support, thus increasing the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst. Each catalyst was tested by means of the laser activated membrane introduction mass spectrometry screening technique (LA-MIMS) under methanol steam reforming conditions. The reaction was carried out in a 1.5 to 1 water to methanol ratio. These tests were carried out at 250°C. It was found that a catalyst with a composition of Ce₅₄Zr₄₂La₄Pt_0.75Pd_0.25, was most active with the highest CO₂ conversion.