Dimethyl ether (DME) is expected as a clean fuel of the next generation.  DME has recently become a potential fuel for hydrogen production to be used in fuel cells.  There is possibility that DME infrastructures will be settled more rapidly than hydrogen, because LPG infrastructures existing are able to be used for DME.

 I have developed Cu-Zn/Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by a sol-gel method for hydrogen production by DME steam reforming.  The catalysts produce hydrogen more effectively than mixed catalysts with DME hydrolysis catalysts and methanol steam reforming catalysts.  SEM-EDS analyses have suggested that the Cu-Zn/Al₂O₃ catalysts have the catalyst surface structure that is appropriate for the steam reforming of DME consisting of DME hydrolysis and methanol steam reforming.  Experiments on the effect of the space velocity, durability test, and other experiments have suggested that the further developments are still need but the catalysts have enough capability for practical use.