Introduction
In recent years, special attention is concentrated on the
development of catalytic steam reforming (SR) process for
hydrogen production from synthetic oxygenated organic
compounds, such as methanol and dimethyl ether (DME), for
polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM FC) applications
[1e13]. It has been shown that these compounds, in contrast
to hydrocarbons, can be steam reformed easily and selectively
to hydrogen-rich gas at relatively low temperatures
(250e350
о
C).
Similarly to methanol and DME, dimethoxymethane
(DMM) is an easy to synthesize oxygenated compound of C1
chemistry. DMM is generally produced by condensation of
methanol with formaldehyde. Direct catalytic oxidation of
methanol to DMM is under development now[14]. Under
normal conditions, DMM is a liquid. Therefore, it can be easily
stored and transported. It is worth emphasizing that DMM is a
noncorrosive, nontoxic material with a wide scope of applications[15]. It is used as a unique powerful solvent for aerosols, pump sprays in pharmaceutical and perfume industries
[16]. DMM selective oxidation is a new alternative for the
production of highly concentrated formaldehyde[17]. Direct
DMM PEMFCs are being developed now, although they are still
less efficient than PEM FC fueled by hydrogen[18]. DMM can be
used as an additive to diesel fuel to improve combustion and