Renewable Hydrogen Production with Steam Reforming of Ethanol Using Siliceous Mesocellular Foam‐Supported Nickel Catalysts

Abstract

Nickel (Ni) catalysts loaded on siliceous mesocellular foam (MCF‐S) are synthesized via the wet impregnation method with 3, 5, 10, and 15 wt% NiO loadings and different aging levels (no, partial, and full ageing) to determine how both factors affect the progress of the ethanol steam reforming (ESR) reaction. After extensive material characterization testing to determine material porosity, crystallinity, and Ni metal particle size and spatial location, as well as reaction testing at 300–700 °C and 4 H2O: 1 EtOH molar ratio, the fully aged 10 wt% Ni/MCF‐S possesses the strongest structural stability and catalytic activity, reaching 100% EtOH conversion and 68% H2 selectivity at 700 °C. The aging disperses and embeds more Ni nanoparticles within the walls of the mesopores, which promote the ESR reaction from easier diffusion and more active site contact within the pores. Furthermore, the catalyst reveals little signs of deactivation, as the structure remains virtually unchanged, and any coke formed is on the silica support and not over the Ni nanoparticles after the ESR reaction. Such results have demonstrated a proven applicability for ESR and a further need to research about aging effects toward improving structural properties and the catalytic reaction activity.