Dimethyl Ether Hydrolysis over WO3/γ-Al2O3 Supported Catalysts

Dimethyl ether (DME) is considered an alternative hydrogen carrier with potential use in fuel cells and automotive domestic applications. hydrolysis to methanol a thermodynamically limited reaction catalyzed by solid-acid catalysts, mainly Al2O3 zeolites. Moreover, it the rate-limiting step of DME steam reforming reaction, which employed for production cell feeding. In present study, performance WO3/Al2O3 catalysts (0–44% wt. WO3) was tested reaction. The were characterized means N2-physisorption, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, NH3-TPD 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine adsorption experiments. rate exhibited volcanic trend as function tungsten surface density, while best-performing catalyst 37WO3/Al2O3, density 7.4 W/nm2, noting that theoretical monolayer coverage specific system 4–5 W/nm2. Brønsted acidity directly associated catalytic activity, following same density. Blocking acid sites led dramatic decrease rates 40 times, proving are primarily responsible activity. Thus, type strength rather than concentration key factors influencing