Ni-hydrocalumite derived catalysts for ethanol steam reforming on hydrogen production

Hydrocalumite derived catalysts prepared by co-precipitation with non-noble metal Nickel(Ni) as main active site were tested in ethanol steam reforming, and the influences of Ni (5,10,15 wt%) content were mainly tested in this research. Meanwhile, the physicochemical properties of the prepared catalysts were analyzed through different characterizations including BET, X-ray diffraction (XRD), H₂-temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) and CO₂-temperature programmed desorption (TPD). As the Ni increased, the specific surface area, crystallite size of Ni, reducibility and basicity of catalysts were changed, which further affected their activities. On this basis, the best performance in this catalytic system was presented when Ni in the catalysts was 15 wt%, the ethanol conversion and hydrogen yield could reach almost 100% and 85% at 650 °C respectively. Thus, this kind of catalyst is effective for ethanol steam reforming.