Patent ID: 7592292

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a catalyst used for steam reforming of methanol: comprising the steps of pulverizing a bulky Al alloy having a quasicrystalline phase or a related crystalline phase thereof, the quasicrystalline phase being represented by the formula: Al 100-y-z Cu y TM z , where y is in the range of 10 to 30 atomic percent, z is in the range of 5 to 20 atomic percent, and TM indicates at least one of transition metals other than Cu, thereby obtaining Al alloy particles; and performing leaching treatment for the Al alloy particles with an aqueous alkaline solution containing one of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium carbonate (Na 2 CO 3 ), and sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO 3 ), wherein the concentration and the temperature thereof are adjusted in the range of 2 to 15 percent by weight and in the range of 0 to 90° C. respectively, to form oxide surface layers, which contain fine Cu particles dispersed therein and which are composed of an Al oxide and a transition metal oxide, on surfaces of the Al alloy particles; and performing heat treatment of the leached Al alloy particles in an oxidizing atmosphere so that substantially all of the fine Cu particles are converted into fine copper oxide particles, whereby the catalyst used for steam reforming of methanol is manufactured so as to have Al alloy particles provided with oxide surface layers containing the fine copper oxide particles.