Application of boron-modified nickel catalysts on the steam reforming of ethanol

Abstract

This paper describes the fabrication of NiCe and BNiCe catalysts for steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) via co-precipitation and impregnation methods using Ni(NO3)2·6H2O, Ce(NO3)3·6H2O and H3BO3 as precursors. All samples were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area, temperature programmed reduction (TPR), temperature programmed oxidation (TPO), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), elemental analysis (EA) and thermogravimetry (TG) techniques at various stages of the catalyst. The results indicated that the incorporation of nickel and boron into the ceria lattice could increase the dispersion of the catalyst especially prepared by the co-precipitation method. The formation of Ni–B alloy and CeBO3 intermediate might be the impact factors necessary for enhancement of the catalytic performance and removal of deposited carbon. As a result, boron-modified catalysts are preferential to non-boron catalysts, where the YH2 exceeds 5 at 375 °C and only minor CO (<0.1%) and CH4 (∼2%) species are detected over the BNiCe(C) and BNi/Ce(I) catalysts. The behavior of coke for the used catalysts was characterized using TG, TPR, TPO and EA methods. The results indicated that the NiCe(C) catalyst accumulated more deposited carbon in the confined space than the BNiCe catalysts.