Influence of metal-support interactions on reaction pathways over Ni/CeZrOx–Al2O3 catalysts for ethanol steam reforming

Abstract

This work investigates selective Ni locations over Ni/CeZrOx–Al2O3 catalysts at different Ni loading contents and their influences on reaction pathways in ethanol steam reforming (ESR). Depending on the Ni loading contents, the added Ni selectively interacts with CeZrOx–Al2O3, resulting in the stepwise locations of Ni over CeZrOx–Al2O3. This behavior induces a remarkable difference in hydrogen production and coke formation in ESR. The selective interaction between Ni and CeZrOx for 10-wt.% Ni generates more oxygen vacancies in the CeZrOx lattice. The Ni sites near the oxygen vacancies enhance reforming via steam activation, resulting in the highest hydrogen production rate of 1863.0 μmol/gcat·min. In contrast, for 15 and 20-wt.% Ni, excessive Ni is additionally deposited on Al2O3 after the saturation of Ni–CeZrOx interactions. These Ni sites on Al2O3 accelerate coking from the ethylene produced on the acidic sites, resulting in a high coke amount of 19.1 mgc/gcat·h (20Ni/CZ-Al).