Hydrogen production from ethanol: Synthesis of Ni catalysts assisted by chelating agents

Abstract

The steam reforming of ethanol was studied over supported Ni catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by the wet impregnation method, using chelating solutions (ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid, EDTA; nitrilotriacetic acid, NTA; and citric acid, CA). The solids were characterised by means of X-ray diffraction, BET specific surface area, temperature programmed reduction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetry analysis. The catalyst prepared from EDTA solution was the most active and selective, with a low amount of carbon deposited after 7 h in reaction. This behaviour was associated with an improvement in the Ni-CeO2 interaction induced by the small NiO particle size obtained from the use of a chelating agent. This sample also showed a high Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio and the smallest particle size of metallic nickel.