Elucidating dynamical atomic scale structural changes of ZnPd/ZnO methanolsteam reforming catalysts

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Methanol steam reforming is an important reaction to provide hydrogen for fuel cell applications in a future methanol-based energy economy. The suppression of CO formation is one of the biggest challenges. In this regard, ZnPd / ZnO catalysts are very promising because they combine high selectivity (low CO formation) and high stability.The properties of this catalyst system and in particular its high selectivity depend crucially on the microstructure and elemental distribution. In particular, the distribution of Pd-rich and Pd-poor regions in the intermetallic ZnPd phase is critical for the formation of ZnO-rich regions and thus to the high selectivity of the material. Due to the high structural dynamics during methanol steam reforming, reliable structure-property relationships can only be established by combining operando investigations with atomic resolution and catalytic tests, both in a broad parameter field.The objectives of this project are to determine the catalytic properties of ZnPd / ZnO in terms of reaction and material parameters, to record the dynamic microstructure change under operando conditions in the electron microscope and to derive reliable structure-property relationships by linking the results from the catalytic and structural / morphological investigations.