The invention provides a process for producing H2 by
steam reforming of
methanol, which process comprises contacting a
gas phase comprising (a) CH3OH and (b) H20 with a
solid catalyst, which
solid catalyst comprises a
mixed metal oxide, which
mixed metal oxide comprises
copper,
zinc and
gallium, wherein the atomic percentage of
copper relative to the total number of
metal atoms in the
oxide is from 20 at. % to 55 at. %. The
solid catalyst itself is also an aspect of the present invention, as is a process for producing the catalyst, which process comprises: (1) a co-
precipitation step, comprising contacting: (a) a solution of
copper nitrate,
zinc nitrate and
gallium nitrate, wherein the atomic percentage of copper relative to the total number of
metal atoms in said solution is from 20 at. % to 55 at. %, with (b) a
metal carbonate, to produce a co-precipitate comprising said copper,
zinc and
gallium; (2) a separation step, comprising separating the co-precipitate from solution; (3) a
calcination step, comprising calcining the co-precipitate by heating the co-precipitate in air; and, optionally, (4) a reduction step, comprising heating the calcined product in the en presence of H2. Further provided is the use of the catalyst of the invention in a process for producing H2 by
steam reforming of
methanol. Additionally, the invention provides a fuel
cell system comprising a fuel
cell, such as a
proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel
cell, and a
methanol reformer comprising a catalyst of the invention. Portable electronic devices comprising a fuel
cell system of the invention are also provided. A further aspect of the invention is the use of a catalyst of the invention in a process for producing methanol by the hydrogenation of
carbon dioxide. Thus, the invention further provides a process for producing methanol by the hydrogenation of
carbon dioxide, which process comprises contacting a
gas phase comprising (a) C02 and (b) H2, with a catalyst of the invention.