Effect of steam content and O2 pretreatment on the catalytic activities of Au/CeO2–Fe2O3 catalysts for steam reforming of methanol

The Au/CeO2–Fe2O3 prepared by deposition–precipitation were studied by steam reforming of methanol at a reaction temperature range of 200–400 °C. Complete methanol conversion was obtained at the optimal steam/methanol ratio of 2 at 400 °C. A high steam content strongly depressed both methanol conversion and hydrogen concentration since this led to a complex mechanism and the formation of carbonate and formate species. After pretreating with oxygen, the catalytic activity dramatically decreased with the presence of an inhomogeneous CexFe1−xO2 solid solution phase; the covering Au sites by the free α-Fe2O3 particles; and an agglomeration of both free α-Fe2O3 and Au particles.