Steam reforming and oxidative steam reforming of ethanol over La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ perovskite as catalyst precursor for hydrogen production

Abstract

The catalytic activity and stability of the La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ perovskite, as a catalyst precursor, for the hydrogen production by steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) and oxidative steam reforming of ethanol (OSRE) were investigated. The resistance to sintering and carbon deposition of the catalyst for these reactions were explored. For this purpose, the catalytic activity of La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ was studied as a function of the temperature and the time-on-stream. Before and after testing, the catalyst precursor was characterized by temperature programed reduction (TPR), X-ray diffraction, SEM-EDX and specific surface area (BET). The results evidenced that the catalyst was highly selective to hydrogen with a good stability for OSRE reaction. The cobalt ions in the perovskite could be reduced to nanoparticles of metallic cobalt under reducing atmospheres. The precursor could be totally regenerated to the initial perovskite structure under a specific thermal treatment, leading to its high resistance to the sintering.