The preparation and catalytic behavior of a shell–core Ni/Mg–Al catalyst for ethanol steam reforming

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The structural “memory effect” of a hydrotalcite (HT)-derived mixed oxide is utilized to prepare a shell–core Ni/Mg–Al catalyst for ethanol steam reforming (ESR). The reconstruction proceeds rapidly in a Ni2+ nitrate solution on the outer layer of the Mg–Al mixed oxide particle, being accompanied with the growth of large flake-like sheets. A part of Ni2+ ions can incorporate into the reconstructed HT-like structure, leading to the formation of the shell-type Ni loading catalyst after calcination. At 700 °C, the shell–core catalysts with much lower Ni contents perform better activities than that of the bulk Ni/Mg–Al catalyst prepared directly via the calcination of the HT-like precursor. Further investigations reveal that temperature and space-time significantly affect the contribution of WGS, CH4 reforming reactions to the product distribution in the ESR reaction. Most interestingly, C2H4 is observed in the reactions carried out at 700 °C and very low space-time.