Ce-modified Cu nanoparticles with N-doped carbon encapsulation for efficient H2 production from aqueous phase reforming of methanol at low temperatures

Aqueous-phase reforming of methanol (APRM) for both hydrogen (H 2 ) production and high pressure storage shows promising potential in mobile/distributed fuel cell stations or vehicles. Currently, achieving efficient H 2 production with low CO selectivity (S-CO) at lower temperatures remains a challenge for its application in these fields (rapid start and running in cycles). Herein, the catalyst of Ce-modified Cu nanoparticles with N-doped carbon encapsulation (Cu-CeO 2 @PVP catalyst) is developed to give excellent H 2 production rate at low temperatures ranging from 110 °C to 180 °C, ensuring excellent hydrothermal stability. The H 2 production rate of 32.56 μmol·g cat -1 ·s −1 at 180 °C is 6.1 times to 10.2 times higher than those of commercial catalysts, which demonstrates its superior performance. The combined effect of Cu + /Cu 0 and CeO 2 promotes the H 2 production from CH 3 OH/H 2 O. It also suppresses the CO formation by enhancing the H 2 O dissociation, CO conversion and HCOOH decomposition in APRM. The stable high purified H 2 flow from the integrated slurry bed APRM device can start immediately the fuel cell vehicle without any delay.