Novel Cu-Ir bimetallic catalysts supported on CeO2 modified SiO2

The novel Cu-Ir bimetallic catalysts with ceria modified silica supported were prepared via impregnation method for methanol decomposition. Cu-Ir/CeO2-SiC2 catalyst exhibited a higher catalytic activity and a better stability than Cu-Ir/SiO2 catalyst. After 10 h of reaction, the methanol conversion was still over 96% with ceria modified Cu-Ir/SiO2 catalyst, while that of Cu-Ir/SiO2 catalyst decreased to 39.1%. The catalyst samples were characterized by XPS, H-2-TPR, XRD and BET techniques. The addition of ceria to silica supported Cu-Ir catalyst could improve the dispersion and restrain the sintering of the active component.