Aqueous-Phase Reforming of Ethylene Glycol Over Supported Platinum Catalysts

Aqueous-phase reforming of 10 wt% ethylene glycol solutions was studied at temperatures of 483 and 498 K over Pt-black and Pt supported on TiO₂, Al₂O₃, carbon, SiO₂, SiO₂-Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, CeO₂, and ZnO. High activity for the production of H₂ by aqueous-phase reforming was observed over Pt-black and over Pt supported on TiO₂, carbon, and Al₂O₃ (i.e., turnover frequencies near 8-15 min^-1 at 498 K); moderate catalytic activity for the production of hydrogen is demonstrated by Pt supported on SiO₂-Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂ (turnover frequencies near 5 min^-1); and lower catalytic activity is exhibited by Pt supported on CeO₂, ZnO, and SiO₂ (H₂ turnover frequencies lower than about 2 min^-1). Pt supported on Al₂O₃, and to a lesser extent ZrO₂, exhibits high selectivity for production of H₂ and CO₂ from aqueous-phase reforming of ethylene glycol. In contrast, Pt supported on carbon, TiO₂, SiO₂-Al₂O₃ and Pt-black produce measurable amounts of gaseous alkanes and liquid-phase compounds that would lead to alkanes at higher conversions (e.g., ethanol, acetic acid, acetaldehyde). The total rate of formation of these byproducts is about 1-3 min^-1 at 498 K. An important bifunctional route for the formation of liquid-phase alkane-precursor compounds over less selective catalysts involves dehydration reactions on the catalyst support (or in the aqueous reforming solution) followed by hydrogenation reactions on Pt.     

Study of Ni and Pt catalysts supported on α-Al2O3 and ZrO2 applied in methane reforming with CO2

Ni and Pt catalysts supported on α-Al₂O_3, α-Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ and ZrO₂ were studied in the dry reforming of methane to produce synthesis gas. All catalytic systems presented well activity levels with TOF (s⁻¹) values between 1 and 3, being Ni based catalysts more active than Pt based catalysts. The selectivity measured at 650 °C, expressed by the molar ratio H₂/CO reached values near to 1. Concerning stability, Pt/ZrO₂, Pt/α-Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ and Ni/α-Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ systems clearly show lower deactivation levels than Ni/ZrO₂ and Ni or Pt catalysts supported on α-Al₂O₃. The lowest deactivation levels observed in Ni and Pt supported on α-Al₂O₃-ZrO₂, compared with Ni and Pt supported on α-Al₂O₃ can be explained by an inhibition of reactions leading to carbon deposition in systems having ZrO₂. These results suggest that ZrO₂ promotes the gasification of adsorbed intermediates, which are precursors of carbon formation and responsible for the main deactivation mechanism in dry reforming reaction.     

Comparison of the effects of χ phase- and Si- modified γ-Al2O3 supported Pt catalysts in CO oxidation

Effects of χ phase- and Si- modified γ-Al₂O₃ supported Pt catalysts on Pt dispersion and oxygen mobility of Pt/Al₂O₃ were investigated by CO oxidation test. Dispersion of 0.3, 0.5 and 1 wt% Pt supported on γ-Al₂O₃ was improved by using χ phase- and Si-modified γ-Al₂O₃ supports. The results indicate that oxygen mobility of the catalysts essentially affected the catalytic performance and there existed of surface reaction between CO_surface and O_surface species activated by different adjacent Pt clusters. Additionally, the highly active χ phase-modified γ-Al₂O₃ supported Pt catalyst may also be applied in other oxidative insensitive-structure reactions.     

Co catalysts supported on SiO2 and γ-Al2O3 applied to ethanol steam reforming: Effect of the solvent used in the catalyst preparation method

Cobalt catalysts were prepared on supports of SiO₂ and γ-Al₂O₃ by the impregnation method, using a solution of Co precursor in methanol. The samples were characterized by XRD, TPR, and Raman spectroscopy and tested in ethanol steam reforming. According to the XRD results, impregnation with the methanolic solution led to smaller metal crystallites than with aqueous solution, on the SiO₂ support. On γ-Al₂O₃, all the samples exhibited small crystallites, with either solvent, due to a higher Co-support interaction that inhibits the reduction of Co species. The TPR results were consistent with XRD results and the samples supported on γ-Al₂O₃ showed a lower degree of reduction. In the steam reforming of ethanol, catalysts supported on SiO₂ and prepared with the methanolic solution showed the best H₂, CO₂ and CO selectivity. Those supported on γ-Al₂O₃ showed lower H₂ selectivity.     

Direct conversion of cellulose into polyols or H2 over Pt/Na(H)-ZSM-5

The direct conversion of cellulose into polyols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol was examined over Pt catalysts supported on H-ZSM-5 with different SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratios. The Pt dispersion, determined by CO chemisorption and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as the surface acid concentration measured by the temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD), increased with decreasing SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio for Pt/H-ZSM-5. The total yield of the polyols, i.e., sorbitol, manitol, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, generally increased with increasing Pt dispersion in Pt/H-ZSM-5. The one-pot aqueous-phase reforming of cellulose into H₂ was also examined over the same catalysts. The Pt catalyst supported on H-ZSM-5 with a moderate SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio and a large external surface area showed the highest H₂ production rate. The Pt dispersion, surface acidity, external surface area and surface hydrophilicity appear to affect the catalytic activity for this reaction.     

Palladium and platinum catalysts supported on carbon nanofiber coated monoliths for low-temperature combustion of BTX

In this work carbon nanofiber (CNF)-coated monoliths with a very thin, homogeneous, consistent and good adhered CNF layer were obtained by means of catalytic decomposition of ethylene on Ni particles.The catalytic behaviour of Pt and Pd supported on the CNF-coated monoliths was studied in the low-temperature catalytic combustion of benzene, toluene and m-xylene (BTX) and compared with the performance of Pt and Pd supported on γ-Al₂O₃ coated monoliths.The catalysts supported on CNF-coated monoliths were the most active, independent of the metal catalyst or the type of the tested aromatic compound. TPD experiments showed that the γ-Al₂O₃ phase retained important amounts of the water molecules produced during the reaction. When water vapour was supplied to the reactant flow, the activity of Pd catalysts decreased much stronger than the Pt ones, and the activity of the Pt catalysts supported on the γ-Al₂O₃ was more affected than that of the catalysts supported on CNF.BTX combustion reactions seem to be catalyzed by Pt and Pd through different kinetic mechanisms, explaining why Pt catalysts always were more active than the Pd ones deposited on the same type of support. Pd catalyzed combustion of benzene is strongly inhibited by oxygen and by water.Catalysts supported on CNF-coated monoliths showed a selectivity to burn benzene better than toluene or m-xylene, attributed to a better aromatic-CNF surface interaction.     

Effects of Zeolite Structures, Exchanged Cations, and Bimetallic Formulations on the Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene Over Zeolite-Supported Catalysts

Supported PdAg bimetallic catalysts were evaluated for the selective hydrogenation of acetylene in the presence of ethylene. The effects of different zeolite structures and cations were investigated using flow reactor studies, with K⁺-β-zeolite supported PdAg showing the lowest activity but highest selectivity comparing to the γ-Al₂O₃ support and other alkaline metal exchanged β-zeolite supports. The K⁺ promoter effect on γ-Al₂O₃ was also tested, which showed that adding K⁺ to γ-Al₂O₃ increased activity and selectivity. Bimetallic catalysts consisting of Pd and a Group IB metal were also compared. It was found that the PdAg bimetallic catalyst had similar activity but better selectivity comparing to PdCu, while the PdAu catalyst showed the highest activity but lowest selectivity.     

Tuning product selectivity of CO2 hydrogenation by OH groups on Pt/γ-AlOOH and Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalysts

Herein, we explore how OH groups on Pt/γ-AlOOH and Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts affect CO₂ hydrogenation with H₂ at temperatures from 250°C to 400°C. OH groups are abundant on γ-AlOOH, but rare at Pt-(γ-AlOOH) interface which is the most favorable site for CO₂ conversion on Pt/γ-AlOOH. This makes CO₂ hydrogenation on Pt/γ-AlOOH form CO weakly bonding to γ-AlOOH, which prefers to desorption from Pt/γ-AlOOH rather than further conversion, thus enhancing CO production on Pt/γ-AlOOH. Different from Pt/γ-AlOOH, OH groups are abundant at Pt-(γ-Al₂O₃) interface which is the most favorable site for CO₂ conversion on Pt/γ-Al₂O₃. This promotes CO₂ hydrogenation on Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ to form CO strongly bonding to Pt, which prefers to further hydrogenation to CH₄, and thereby increases CH₄ selectivity on Pt/γ-Al₂O₃. Therefore, the OH groups at metal-support interface are crucial factor influencing product distribution, and must be considered seriously when fabricating catalysts.     

Selective CO oxidation in the presence of hydrogen over supported Pt catalysts promoted with transition metals

Selective CO oxidation in the presence of excess hydrogen was studied over supported Pt catalysts promoted with various transition metal compounds such as Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Zr. CO chemisorption, XRD, TPR, and TPO were conducted to characterize active catalysts. Among them, Pt-Ni/γ-Al₂O₃ showed high CO conversions over wide reaction temperatures. For supported Pt-Ni catalysts, Alumina was superior to TiO₂ and ZrO₂ as a support. The catalytic activity at low temperatures increased with increasing the molar ratio of Ni/Pt. This accompanied the TPR peak shift to lower temperatures. The optimum molar ratio between Ni and Pt was determined to be 5. This Pt-Ni/γ A1₂O₃ showed no decrease in CO conversion and CO₂ selectivity for the selective CO oxidation in the presence of 2 vol% H₂O and 20 vol% CO₂. The bimetallic phase of Pt-Ni seems to give rise to stable activity with high CO₂ selectivity in selective oxidation of CO in H₂-rich stream.     

Recent Improvement on H2 Production by Liquid Phase Reforming of Glycerol: Catalytic Properties and Performance,and Deactivation Studies

Recently new Pt/Ni-based γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts have been developed in our laboratory with a good performance for H₂ production by aqueous phase reforming of glycerol. This paper reviews these developments based on the study of the catalytic properties and performance, as well as their deactivation mechanisms. These works have led to set new perspectives related to the enhancement of catalysts hydrothermal stability and to the reduction of the deactivation processes.     

Hydrogenation of vegetable oil using highly dispersed Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst: Effects of key operating parameters and deactivation study

In the present work, Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts with high metal dispersion were prepared and characterized using chloroplatinic acid and platinum acetylacetonate as metal precursors. The activity and selectivity of the catalysts were evaluated in the hydrogenation of sunflower oil. A comprehensive analysis of the effects of key operational parameters on catalytic performance was carried out. The experimental variables were hydrogen pressure (275.8–551.6 kPa), temperature (160–200°C), and catalyst loading (0.005–0.015 kg Pt_exp/m³_oil). Platinum catalysts were active, with a double bond conversion of 28% at 2 h. The metal precursor affected catalyst selectivity. The catalyst prepared with chloroplatinic acid exhibited a lower formation of trans-isomers compared with Pt acetylacetonate. The γ-Al₂O₃ supported platinum catalyst with a metal loading of 0.51 wt.% and a metal dispersion of 98% maintained its initial catalyst activity and selectivity after 10 consecutive uses (1200 min accumulate operation time), without changes in its catalytic properties. The obtained results suggested that Pt catalysts are an attractive alternative to conventional nickel catalysts for the hydrogenation of vegetable oil.     

Supported Ni–W–O Mixed Oxides as Selective Catalysts for the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane

Mixed Ni–W–O catalysts (with a W/(Ni + W) atomic ratio of 0.3) supported on γ-Al₂O₃ or on mesoporous alumina have been prepared, characterized and tested in the oxidation of ethane. For comparison unsupported and supported NiO as well as bulk Ni–W–O mixed oxides catalysts have also been studied. Supported Ni–W–O materials show interesting catalytic performances in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. They show similar catalytic activities than the corresponding unsupported Ni–W–O catalysts. However, the selectivity to ethylene over supported catalysts was higher than that achieved over unsupported samples (the selectivity to ethylene followed the trend: mesoporous-supported > γ-Al₂O₃-supported > unsupported Ni–W–O). In addition, it has also been observed that Ni–W–O catalysts are more efficient than the corresponding W-free NiO catalysts. The discussion of the catalytic results will be undertaken on the basis of the modification of active sites of NiO when incorporating WO₃ and/or metal oxide supports.     

Macroporous Monolithic Pt/γ-Al2O3 and K–Pt/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts Used for Preferential Oxidation of CO

Macro-porous monolithic γ-Al₂O₃ was prepared by using macro-porous polystyrene monolith foam as the template and alumina sol as the precursor. Platinum and potassium were loaded on the support by impregnation method. TG, XRD, N₂ adsorption–desorption, SEM, TEM, and TPR techniques were used for catalysts characterization, and the catalytic performance of macro-porous monolithic Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ and K–Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were tested in hydrogen-rich stream for CO preferential oxidation (CO-PROX). SEM images show that the macropores in the macro-porous monolithic γ-Al₂O₃ are interconnected with the pore size in the range of 10 to 50 μm, and the monoliths possess hierarchical macro-meso(micro)-porous structure. The macro-porous monolithic catalysts, although they are less active intrinsically than the particle ones, exhibit higher CO conversion and higher O₂ to CO oxidation selectivity than particle catalysts at high reaction temperatures, which is proposed to be owing to its hierarchical macro-meso(micro) -porous structure. Adding potassium lead to marked improvement of the catalytic performance, owing to intrinsic activity and platinum dispersion increase resulted from K-doping. CO in hydrogen-rich gases can be removed to 10 ppm over monolithic K–Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ by CO-PROX.     

Carbon Nanofiber Supported Cobalt Catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis with High Activity and Selectivity

Platelet and fishbone carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have been used as supports for cobalt Fischer–Tropsch catalysts. The activity and selectivity of the CNF supported catalysts have been studied at 483 K, 20 bar, and H₂/CO = 2.1, and compared with corresponding activity and selectivity for α-Al₂O₃ and γ-Al₂O₃ supported cobalt catalysts. The platelet CNF supported catalyst has demonstrated high activity and high selectivity to C₅₊ hydrocarbons, with activity comparable with Co/γ-Al₂O₃ and selectivity comparable with Co/α-Al₂O₃.     

Effect of Catalyst Supports on Water‐Gas Shift Reaction at Ultrahigh Temperatures Using Syngas

Monometallic and bimetallic catalysts (Pt, Ni, and Pt‐Ni) with single support (Al₂O₃, TiO₂) and composite support (CeO₂/Al₂O₃, CeO₂/TiO₂) were prepared and tested for water‐gas shift reaction in a tubular quartz reactor. Syngas and steam with different steam‐to‐carbon ratios served as feedstock. The operating pressure was fixed while the reaction temperature was varied. The measured results indicated that the monometallic Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst exhibits the lowest CO conversion and H₂ yield as compared with other catalysts. About the same CO conversion can be obtained from Pt and Pt‐Ni catalysts with single or composite support. However, higher H₂ yield can be achieved from the TiO₂‐supported catalyst compared with those supported by Al₂O₃. The experimental data also indicated that good thermal stability can be reached for the Pt‐based catalysts studied.     

TPR study and catalytic performance of noble metals modified Al2O3, TiO2 and ZrO2 for low-temperature NH3-SCO

A series of γ-Al₂O₃, TiO₂ (anatase) and mt-ZrO₂ were impregnated with 1.0 wt.% of Cu or Fe and/or with 0.05 wt.% of Pt, Pd or Rh. The obtained samples were tested as catalysts of the selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia. An interesting class of zirconia and titania supported catalysts is based on copper. Modification of these catalysts with noble metals significantly decreased temperature of the ammonia oxidation. Platinum doped catalysts exhibited the highest activity, while rhodium based materials were the most selective catalysts in the studied temperature range. Catalytic performances of tested materials were consistent with their redox properties.     

Sulfur production from smelter off-gas using CO–H2 gas mixture as the reducing agent over modified Fe/γ-Al2O3 catalysts

A series of modified γ-Al₂O₃ supported iron-based catalysts (M-Fe/γ-Al₂O₃) was developed to reduce SO₂ in actual smelter off-gases using CO–H₂ gas mixture as reducing agent for sulfur production. Used as modifiers, three metal additives — Ni, Co, and Ce were added to Fe/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts. Changes in catalyst structure and active phase were characterized with X-ray diffraction, XPS, SEM, and EDS. The reduction ability of catalysts was exhibited via CO-TPR. The prepared catalysts only need to be pre-reacted for a period of time, eliminating the need for presulfidation treatment. Reaction conditions were optimized in a fixed bed reactor to achieve high SO₂ conversion and sulfur selectivity. XRD characterization was carried out to verify the resulting sulfur products. Combining in situ infrared characterization and catalyst evaluation of support and active component, the reaction mechanism was investigated and proposed.     

Enhanced catalytic activity of Pt/Al2O3 on the CH4 SCR

In this study, we investigated the effect of mixing α-Al₂O₃ and γ-Al₂O₃ with a Pt catalyst on CH₄ selective catalytic reduction (SCR). Among the prepared catalysts, the Pt/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst was found to have the lowest catalytic activity, but the best adsorption characteristics for CH₄, which was used as the reductant. In contrast, the Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was found to exhibit relatively high catalytic activity and moderate adsorption characteristics. To simultaneously enhance the catalytic activity and CH₄ adsorption characteristics, we developed a new catalyst, Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ + Pt/α-Al₂O₃, by mixing α-Al₂O₃ and γ-Al₂O₃ with a Pt catalyst. The catalytic activity test confirmed that mixing these catalysts led to enhanced catalytic activity.     

Support effect on the low-temperature hydrogenation of benzene over PtCo bimetallic and the corresponding monometallic catalysts

PtCo bimetallic and Co, Pt monometallic catalysts supported on γ-Al₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂ and activated carbon (AC) were prepared and evaluated for the hydrogenation of benzene at relatively low temperatures (343 K) and atmospheric pressure. Results from flow reactor studies showed that supports strongly affected the catalytic properties of different bimetallic catalysts. AC supported PtCo bimetallic catalysts exhibited significantly better performance than the other bimetallic catalysts, and all the bimetallic catalysts possessed higher activity than the corresponding monometallic catalysts. Results from CO chemisorption and H₂-temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) studies suggested that different catalysts possessed different properties in chemisorption capacity and reduction behavior, and AC supported PtCo catalysts possessed significantly higher CO chemisorption capacity compared to the other catalysts. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis provided additional information regarding the formation of Pt–Co bimetallic bonds and metallic particle size distribution in the PtCo bimetallic catalysts on different supports.     

NiBa catalysts for CO2-reforming of methane

Ni–Ba catalysts supported on γ-Al₂O₃ for the dry reforming of methane were prepared, characterized and studied under reaction conditions. Ba incorporation inhibits the formation of Ni spinel. All the Ni–Ba catalysts studied are highly active for the CO₂-reforming of methane. However, the Ni–Ba catalyst with high Ba and Ni content was the most active and stable catalyst, due to the presence of accessible Ni particles stabilized by the formation of BaAl₂O₄.