Oxalate precipitation synthesis of copper-manganese nanoparticles for methanol steam reforming

Abstract

CuMn spinel nanoparticles were prepared using the oxalate precipitation synthesis technique using nitrate salts as precursors. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and field emission - scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The mixed oxalate precursor, CuMn∗C2O4, was found to be single-phase and crystalline compound. H2-assisted temperature-programmed decomposition of the mixed oxalates yielded Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 spinel nanoparticles with CuO present in very minute amounts. FE-SEM analysis of the Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 spinel showed a spherical morphology of the nanoparticles. The average size of the Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 spinel nanoparticles was 11.512 nm. Thus, the nano-sized Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 spinel nanoparticles can be used as catalysts for the methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction.