Low temperature synthesis of porous copper/zinc oxide

A two-step urea aqueous solution process at a low temperature (90 deg. C) was employed for the preparation of a copper/zinc oxide material. Well defined porous spherical particles with average sizes of around 5 μm in diameter were prepared first and then used as a support for further copper-zinc precipitation. It was found that the particle composition and shape were changed with applied stirring speed (100 rpm or 200 rpm) and that particle size is inversely proportional to the copper content in the particles. The particles preserved their size and shape after the heat treatment. Prepared Cu/ZnO samples showed catalytic activity for the reaction of steam reforming of methane. Samples were characterized by scanning field emission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analyses, X-ray powder diffraction, surface area analyses, and atomic absorption spectroscopy.