The large amount of interest in methanol as a pioneering hydrogen source for fuel cell applications is related to its high energy density, easy storage/transportation and environmental safeguarding compared to conventional fuels. In fact, CH3OH production from biomass and other renewable feedstocks benefits sustainable technologies available for its conversion to hydrogen¹. Methanol and steam, at moderate temperatures and under the assistance of a catalyst, can generate H₂ and CO₂. In particular, to enhance hydrogen selectivity and reduce CO formation, the identification of highly active, selective and stable catalysts is crucial. Sintering is one of the main drawbacks of Cu-based catalysts commonly selected for methanol steam reforming, and the addition of CeO₂ is expected to improve active-phase dispersion as well as metal–support interactions².

In this work, a series of non-noble (Ni, Cu and Zn) metal-based bimetallic and trimetallic catalysts were prepared by the sequential wet impregnation of the active species on the CeO₂-Al₂O₃ support (30 wt% of ceria) and tested for methanol steam reforming (MSR). After the catalysts' reduction in situ (at 800°C; heating rate of 10°C·min^-1), MSR was performed under a 10%CH₃OH-15%H₂O-75%Ar stream at atmospheric pressure from 600 to 200°C; the Weight Hourly Space Velocity was fixed at 2 h^-1. For the non-noble metal-based catalysts, methanol was completely converted up to 300°C. Moreover, the trimetallic Zn-Ni-Cu sample showed a methanol conversion rate of around 40% at 200°C. However, at low temperatures, CO formation became stable. The lowest carbon monoxide selectivity was recorded for the 20 wt%Cu/CeO₂-Al₂O₃ catalyst.