Reforming of Methanol on a K-Promoted Mo₂C/Norit Catalyst

The effects of a potassium promoter were investigated on the decomposition and reforming of methanol on a Mo 2 C/C Norit catalyst. Mo 2 C was prepared by the reaction of highly dispersed K 2 MoO 4 with carbon Norit. The reduction of MoO 3 and the formation of Mo 2 C were followed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that potassium somewhat hindered the complete transformation of MoO 3 into Mo 2 C. The potassium additive increased the adsorption of methanol on Mo 2 C and enhanced the production of hydrogen in both the decomposition and the reforming of methanol. This occurred at the expense of CO, and methane also appeared in the products. The selectivity of H 2 reached a value of 97−98% at 723 K. Moreover, the amount of H 2 formed at 723 K was ∼25% higher than the H 2 content of methanol, indicating the involvement of H 2 O in the reaction. A remarkable feature of the K-promoted Mo 2 C/C catalyst is its high thermal stability. No decay in the previous values occurred in 47 h.