Catalytic properties of alkali-leached Ni₃Al for hydrogen production from methanol

The catalytic properties of Ni₃Al intermetallics were studied for hydrogen production from methanol. It is found that the alkali-leached Ni₃Al powders show a high catalytic activity for the methanol decomposition (CH₃OH→2H₂+CO). The rate of hydrogen production increases rapidly with increasing reaction temperature. Furthermore, the Ni₃Al catalysts suppress the formation of methane and water gas shift reaction, i.e. they show higher selectivity for methanol decomposition than nickel catalysts. These results indicate that the Ni₃Al catalysts are highly promising as a catalyst for hydrogen production.