Methanol steam reforming catalysts

A catalyst for reforming methanol and steam into hydrogen gas for use in hydrogen fuel cells, the catalyst comprising:

• a catalytic component comprising:
• Pd present as an oxide and in a range of 0.5% to 10% of a total weight of the catalyst;
• a second element, the second element being capable of forming an alloy with Pd when the catalyst is in the presence of methanol and water vapor, wherein the second element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Nb, Ta, B, Al, Ga, In, Ti, Ge, Sn, and Pb, wherein a molar ratio of the second element to the Pd ranges from 1:5 to 1:1;
• and
• at least one promoter element present as an oxide, the at least one promoter element selected from group consisting of Li, N a, K, Rb, Cs, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Fe, Y, Zr, and combinations thereof, wherein the at least one promoter element is present in a range of up to 10% of the total weight of the catalyst;
• and
• a solid support having the catalytic component disposed thereon, the support selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, CeO2, ceramics, carbon, and mixtures thereof, wherein the support has a surface area greater than 5 m2/g;
• said catalyst being free of Cu and Zn.