New Publication: Cu–Ni Synergy for Efficient Waste-to-Fuel Catalysis

A recent study from the Waste2Fuel project demonstrates how the synergistic interaction between copper and nickel can significantly enhance catalyst performance for dimethyl ether steam reforming (DME-SR), an important pathway for sustainable hydrogen and syngas production.

Using in situ FTIR spectroscopy combined with steady-state catalytic studies, the research revealed that Cu–Ni interactions modify the catalysts' surface chemistry, redox behavior, and acidity, resulting in higher activity, improved product selectivity, and enhanced long-term stability. In particular, copper suppresses undesired methanation pathways, while Ni–Cu cooperative sites promote efficient hydrogen generation.

Among the investigated materials, the 3Cu–Ni catalyst exhibited the best balance between activity and durability at medium-to-high temperatures, outperforming conventional monometallic formulations. These findings provide valuable insights for the rational design of advanced catalysts for waste-derived fuel upgrading and hydrogen production, thereby supporting the development of cleaner, more efficient Waste-to-Fuel technologies.

Read the full article:
Bimetallic Cu–Ni alumina-supported catalysts for dimethyl ether steam reforming: Decoupling sequential reactions by in situ FTIR spectroscopy and steady-state analysis