N-decane steam reforming for hydrogen production over mono- and bi-metallic Co-Ni/Ce-Al2O3 catalysts: Structure-activity correlations

Abstract

Hydrogen production from n-decane steam reforming was researched over mono- and bi-metallic Co-Ni catalysts supported on Ce-Al2O3 (CA), with the purpose of obtaining high H2 yield and lowest inactivation by carbon deposition. Physicochemical characteristics studies, involving N2 adsorptione-desorption, X-ray diffraction, Infrared spectrometer, Raman spectroscopy, and Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer, were carried out to reveal the textural, structural and morphological properties of the catalysts. The results showed that catalytic activity over mono- Co or Ni catalyst was increased compared with CA contrast catalyst at the range of 650–800°C, meanwhile the catalytic activity was further improved over bimetallic Co-Ni catalyst. Moreover, carbon deposition was effectively suppressed with the synchronous addition of Ni and Co. The metal-support interaction was enhanced, and there was obvious synergistic effect between Ni and Co. In addition, the reforming activities over regenerated catalysts were almost close to the fresh ones. The effective information presented in this work is that, firstly, modified Al2O3 with Ce before active species loading in order to maintain larger surface area and improve thermal stability, secondly, introduced Ni and Co into Ce-Al2O3 synchronously to maintain both catalytic activities and anti-carbon ability, should be an effective approach to develop the excellent catalyst.