Pt monometallic and bimetallic catalysts prepared by acid sol–gel method for liquid phase reforming of bioglycerol

Abstract

PtFe, PtCo, PtNi, Ni and Pt-based γ-Al2O3 catalytic systems were prepared using the acid sol–gel method and characterized by appropriate techniques. Their catalytic activities in glycerol APR for H2 production were investigated, and the most significant results will be fully discussed in this paper. The effect of operating conditions, the influence of different non-noble incorporated metals, the interesting promoting effect between Pt and Ni and their dispersion effect on the catalytic performance have been the main focus of this research. The analyses by TPR-H2, XRD, XPS and TEM/EDX techniques confirmed high Pt and Ni dispersions and the promoting effect between both elements. All this explains the best catalytic activity of PtNiAl(SGA) catalyst, especially at moderate temperature/pressure reaction conditions. Highly dispersed Pt/Ni and Pt spillover effects were the key for obtaining high H2 production. The Pt monometallic catalyst recorded lower conversions but fairly stable activity, while the Ni-containing catalysts recorded higher conversions, but some initial deactivation until steady state was reached.