Monometallic Ru, Au, and Pt Catalysts Deposited on Carbon Nanotubes for Oxidative Steam Reforming of Methanol

Abstract

The results are presented from investigations into the effect of oxidative treatment of carbon nanotubes on the physicochemical and catalytic characteristics of gold, ruthenium, and platinum catalysts deposited on them. The surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes was functionalized in an acidified solution of potassium permanganate. The physicochemical characteristics of the carbon nanotubes and deposited catalysts were studied by the following methods: BET (the Brunauer–Emmet–Teller method), TPR-H (temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen), XPA (x-ray diffraction), Fourier IRS (infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transformation), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and chemisorptions of CO and H₂. The catalytic activity was determined in a flow-type quartz reactor in the range of 250-300°C at atmospheric pressure.