Low-temperature thermocatalytic aqueous phase methanol reforming on Pt/defective-indium oxide

Aqueous phase methanol reforming (APMR) is a promising approach for sustainable hydrogen production. However, current catalysts often require harsh reaction conditions, such as high temperatures and pressures. Therefore, developing catalysts that can operate under mild conditions is highly desirable. In this report, we explore the potential of defect-engineered In2O3 as a support material for Pt nanoparticles to enhance the catalytic performance of APRM. We successfully introduce oxygen vacancy defects in In2O3 by employing an aminemediated approach. These defects play a crucial role in promoting the reduction of Pt nanoparticles, facilitating their uniform dispersion on the support, and preventing agglomeration. The resulting Pt/H2-In2O3 catalyst exhibits superior catalytic activity for APRM, enabling efficient hydrogen production at low temperatures (100 degrees C) and ambient pressure. Notably, the total turnover number of hydrogen on a highly defective catalyst (Pt/H2In2O3) reaches up to 1745 over 18 h. The enhanced catalytic performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the uniformly dispersed Pt nanoparticles with higher electron density and defect-rich In2O3 support, which facilitates the adsorption and activation of reactant molecules and accelerates the reaction kinetics. This research work paves the way for developing new catalysts with tailored defects on metal oxide surfaces, enabling efficient APRM at mild conditions.