XRD, BET and In-situ XPS techniques were used to study the performance of Cu/ZnO based catalysts for methanol decomposition. XRD studies indicated that the formation of Cu-Zn alloys was the major reason for the quickly deactivation of Cu/Zn catalyst for methanol decomposition at the initial stage of the reaction. XRD, BET and N_2O titration results confirmed that nickel additive could increase the dispersity of active Cu~0 species during the catalytic process and maintain the stability during the reaction. In-situ XPS studies confirmed that the active center in Cu/Zn/Ni catalyst was Cu~0 and/or Cu~+ species, in which Cu`+ was formed during the reaction.

Key words: NICKEL, COPPER, ZINC OXIDE, METHANOL, PYROLYSIS, HYDROGEN, CATALYTIC ACTIVITY, XRD