Methanol Steam Reforming with Samarium-stabilized Copper Sites for Efficient Hydrogen Production

The rational design of Cu-based catalysts with tailored interfacial structures and electronic states remains challenging yet essential for advancing hydrogen production via methanol steam reforming (MSR). Here, we developed a samarium-mediated strategy to construct a 30Sm-CuAl catalyst. The introduction of Sm promotes Cu dispersion and induces strong metal-support interactions, resulting in the formation of Sm2O3- encapsulated Cu nanoparticles enriched with Cu+ -O-Sm interfaces. The optimized 30Sm-CuAl demonstrates exceptional MSR performance, achieving a hydrogen production rate of 1,126 mmol gcat− 1 h− 1 at 250◦C. Mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction follows the formate pathway in xSm-CuAl, with formate accumulation identified as the primary reason for the deactivation of 30Sm-CuAl. Dynamic regeneration of 30SmCuAl through redox treatment restores its activity, thereby enabling cyclic operation. These findings provide insights into rare-earth oxide regulation of Cu-based catalysts and lay the foundation for targeted resolution of formate intermediate accumulation to enhance MSR stability.