Low temperature steam reforming of methane over metal catalyst supported on CexZr1−xO2 in an electric field

Catalytic steam reforming of methane in an electric field (named “electreforming”) was conducted over metal catalysts supported on CeO2 or CexZr1−xO2 at low temperatures such as 423 K where conventional catalytic reactions hardly proceeded. The conversion of methane was greatly increased by weak and effective application of an electric field to the catalyst bed. Use of CexZr1−xO2 as a catalyst support promoted electreforming, the lattice oxygen of CexZr1−xO2 playing an important role. Energy efficiency of electreforming, reaction mechanism, and the role of lattice oxygen were investigated and are discussed in this paper.